.Truce holds as South enjoys first rocket-free day since Gaza op began
Israel Defense Forces officers supervising the pullout of troops from Gaza on Monday were working to have the last Israeli soldier leave Gaza on Tuesday before the Washington, D.C., inauguration of United States President Barack Obama.
The IDF is expected on Tuesday to begin discharging many of the reservists drafted two weeks ago under emergency orders.
Troops began significantly reducing their presence in the Gaza Strip as early as Saturday night, immediately after Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire which put and end to Operation Cast Lead. The troops took key positions around the Strip, poised to reenter when ordered.
Hamas militants took steps to avoid violating the cease-fire on Monday, not firing any rockets into Israel and not attacking the IDF troops still stationed in the Strip.
IDF sources said that the peace was maintained despite alleged orders by Hamas leadership in Damascus for their operatives in Gaza to carry out attacks against IDF forces. Israeli officers said that the militants chose to ignore the order.
The IDF General Staff, according to army sources, views the cease-fire and the aftermath of the 22-day operation as creating an opportunity for setting up a more effective system to prevent Hamas from smuggling arms into the Strip. This is because Egypt is reportedly showing signs - for the first time - of interest in halting smuggling, which it now views as a strategic threat.
According to intelligence reports, Iran closely monitored the situation in Gaza, and was concerned that Israel could topple Hamas' regime there. Iran is now interested, according to the intelligence reports, in helping Hamas rebuild its arsenal as soon as possible.
Israeli intelligence estimates indicate that Hamas employed a system of 250 tunnels running across the border which separates the Palestinian side of Rafah from the Egyptian side of town. Some 80 percent of these tunnels were collapsed or damaged in Israel Air Force raids, according to estimates.
Approximately 500 Hamas militants were killed in the operation, according to Israeli estimates and hundreds more were wounded. Additionally, the IDF killed hundreds of militants belonging to various armed factions and militias.
The Israeli army captured 130 Palestinians in the operation. Out of that number, some 30 captives are suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations, and they are slated to remain under arrest pending trial.
In total, Hamas fired 600 rockets during the operation out of an estimated arsenal of 2,000 to 3,000 rockets with various ranges. Israeli army officials believe the IDF destroyed about 1,200 rockets in the operation.
Haaretz
Sounds like the start of a real peace on the ground, not the rhetoric old fools.
The IDF is expected on Tuesday to begin discharging many of the reservists drafted two weeks ago under emergency orders.
Troops began significantly reducing their presence in the Gaza Strip as early as Saturday night, immediately after Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire which put and end to Operation Cast Lead. The troops took key positions around the Strip, poised to reenter when ordered.
Hamas militants took steps to avoid violating the cease-fire on Monday, not firing any rockets into Israel and not attacking the IDF troops still stationed in the Strip.
IDF sources said that the peace was maintained despite alleged orders by Hamas leadership in Damascus for their operatives in Gaza to carry out attacks against IDF forces. Israeli officers said that the militants chose to ignore the order.
The IDF General Staff, according to army sources, views the cease-fire and the aftermath of the 22-day operation as creating an opportunity for setting up a more effective system to prevent Hamas from smuggling arms into the Strip. This is because Egypt is reportedly showing signs - for the first time - of interest in halting smuggling, which it now views as a strategic threat.
According to intelligence reports, Iran closely monitored the situation in Gaza, and was concerned that Israel could topple Hamas' regime there. Iran is now interested, according to the intelligence reports, in helping Hamas rebuild its arsenal as soon as possible.
Israeli intelligence estimates indicate that Hamas employed a system of 250 tunnels running across the border which separates the Palestinian side of Rafah from the Egyptian side of town. Some 80 percent of these tunnels were collapsed or damaged in Israel Air Force raids, according to estimates.
Approximately 500 Hamas militants were killed in the operation, according to Israeli estimates and hundreds more were wounded. Additionally, the IDF killed hundreds of militants belonging to various armed factions and militias.
The Israeli army captured 130 Palestinians in the operation. Out of that number, some 30 captives are suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations, and they are slated to remain under arrest pending trial.
In total, Hamas fired 600 rockets during the operation out of an estimated arsenal of 2,000 to 3,000 rockets with various ranges. Israeli army officials believe the IDF destroyed about 1,200 rockets in the operation.
Haaretz
Sounds like the start of a real peace on the ground, not the rhetoric old fools.
posted by madtom at 12:35 AM
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