Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., June 02, 2009 Sivan 10, 5769 | | Israel Time: 13:56 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 13:55 02/06/2009
Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Hamas, Israel, Gaza 

Long-term preparation, careful gathering of information, secret discussions, operational deception and the misleading of the public - all these stood behind the Israel Defense Forces "Cast Lead" operation against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, which began Saturday morning.

The disinformation effort, according to defense officials, took Hamas by surprise and served to significantly increase the number of its casualties in the strike.

Sources in the defense establishment said Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for the operation over six months ago, even as Israel was beginning to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. According to the sources, Barak maintained that although the lull would allow Hamas to prepare for a showdown with Israel, the Israeli army needed time to prepare, as well.
Advertisement
Barak gave orders to carry out a comprehensive intelligence-gathering drive which sought to map out Hamas' security infrastructure, along with that of other militant organizations operating in the Strip.

This intelligence-gathering effort brought back information about permanent bases, weapon silos, training camps, the homes of senior officials and coordinates for other facilities.

The plan of action that was implemented in Operation Cast Lead remained only a blueprint until a month ago, when tensions soared after the IDF carried out an incursion into Gaza during the ceasefire to take out a tunnel which the army said was intended to facilitate an attack by Palestinian militants on IDF troops.

On November 19, following dozens of Qassam rockets and mortar rounds which exploded on Israeli soil, the plan was brought for Barak's final approval. Last Thursday, on December 18, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the defense minister met at IDF headquarters in central Tel Aviv to approve the operation.

However, they decided to put the mission on hold to see whether Hamas would hold its fire after the expiration of the ceasefire. They therefore put off bringing the plan for the cabinet's approval, but they did inform Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of the developments.

That night, in speaking to the media, sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau said that "if the shooting from Gaza continues, the showdown with Hamas would be inevitable." On the weekend, several ministers in Olmert's cabinet inveighed against him and against Barak for not retaliating for Hamas' Qassam launches.

"This chatter would have made Entebe or the Six Day War impossible," Barak said in responding to the accusations. The cabinet was eventually convened on Wednesday, but the Prime Minister's Bureau misinformed the media in stating the discussion would revolve around global jihad. The ministers learned only that morning that the discussion would actually pertain to the operation in Gaza.

In its summary announcement for the discussion, the Prime Minister's Bureau devoted one line to the situation in Gaza, compared to one whole page that concerned the outlawing of 35 Islamic organizations.

What actually went on at the cabinet meeting was a five-hour discussion about the operation in which ministers were briefed about the various blueprints and plans of action. "It was a very detailed review," one minister said.

The minister added: "Everyone fully understood what sort of period we were heading into and what sort of scenarios this could lead to. No one could say that he or she did not know what they were voting on." The minister also said that the discussion showed that the lessons of the Winograd Committee about the performance of decision-makers during the 2006 Second Lebanon War were "fully internalized."

At the end of the discussion, the ministers unanimously voted in favor of the strike, leaving it for the prime minister, the defense minister and the foreign minister to work out the exact time.

While Barak was working out the final details with the officers responsible for the operation, Livni went to Cairo to inform Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, that Israel had decided to strike at Hamas.

In parallel, Israel continued to send out disinformation in announcing it would open the crossings to the Gaza Strip and that Olmert would decide whether to launch the strike following three more deliberations on Sunday - one day after the actual order to launch the operation was issued.

"Hamas evacuated all its headquarter personnel after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday," one defense official said, "but the organization sent its people back in when they heard that everything was put on hold until Sunday."

The final decision was made on Friday morning, when Barak met with Chief of Staff General Gabi Ashkenazi, the head of the Shin Bet Security Service Yuval Diskin and the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, Amos Yadlin. Barak sat down with Olmert and Livni several hours later for a final meeting, in which the trio gave the air force its orders.

On Friday night and on Saturday morning, opposition leaders and prominent political figures were informed about the impending strike, including Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, Yisrael Beuiteinu's Avigdor Liebermen, Haim Oron from Meretz and President Shimon Peres, along with Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik.

Related articles:
  • Olmert: Our desire for quiet was met with terror
  • One Israeli killed, 4 hurt as Palestinian rockets hit Negev home
  • At least 205 dead, over 200 hurt in IAF Gaza strikes
  • ANALYSIS / IAF strike on Gaza is Israel's version of 'shock and awe'
  • IN PICTURES / Gaza under attack
  • Bradley Burston / The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear in wartime
  • U.S. demands Hamas end terrorist acts, urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties
  • Israeli Arabs react with violence to IDF operations in Gaza
  • Israel to mount emergency international PR effort in wake of Gaza campaign
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Obama's chutzpah
    That Barack Obama. He just entered the White House and already has something to say.
    Hungary's war on Jews
    Hungarian police newsletter tells 'homeland lovers' that anti-Semitism is a natural right.
      1.   Well planned 23:13  |  Daniel Donaly 27/12/08
      2.   Well, Well. They Sure Fooled Me 23:23  |  Jeff Northridge 27/12/08
      3.   IAF/IDF -still the best in the world 23:29  |  don 27/12/08
      4.   Israel does not yet realize how they have put 23:37  |  Kris Lazar 27/12/08
      5.   About time they kept their mouths shut.... 23:48  |  Nemesis 27/12/08
      6.   absolutely genius 23:53  |  alibaba 27/12/08
      7.   intelligence 00:02  |  hs 28/12/08
      8.   disinformation , secrecy! 00:08  |  rachel 28/12/08
      9.   all jew pigs must die 00:08  |  only option 28/12/08
      10.   The only way to deal with a "Hubna" 00:10  |  enrique 28/12/08
      11.   hs: Why do you believe this story? 00:25  |  Moshe Dayan`s ghost 28/12/08
      12.   The cease-fire was just a pretext 00:26  |  Ben Alofs 28/12/08
      13.   about time israel woke up.G-d bless israeli army 00:27  |  reuven 28/12/08
      14.   It`s just another battle 00:33  |  Alan 28/12/08
      15.   what is so heroic about targeting innocent police cadets 00:35  |  KMS 28/12/08
      16.   "Lies`? 00:56  |  Meir 28/12/08
      17.   Don´t ever under-estimate Israel... 00:57  |  Victor 28/12/08
      18.   #2 the best in the world? 01:00  |  chris 28/12/08
      19.   # Jeff - don`t gloat 01:05  |  Janice 28/12/08
      20.   Warcrimes 01:08  |  Wouter de Wit 28/12/08
      21.   Put it to rest 01:12  |  Refugee 28/12/08
      22.   do the job 01:14  |  me 28/12/08
      23.   Lies 01:17  |  USA 28/12/08
      24.   I don`t think Israel has a future. 01:20  |  Michael 28/12/08
      25.   A rabid dog always eventually bites. 01:32  |  Che Vive 28/12/08
      26.   If this is indeed true 01:34  |  Avi 28/12/08
      27.   Stupid Jews, they can`t keep their mouths from running. 01:43  |  Howard 28/12/08
      28.   War is never about between TV commercials! Who have patients? 02:00  |  John 28/12/08
      29.   re: Don 02:03  |  Brian 28/12/08
      30.   A Lesson for Abbas & Obama 02:11  |  Mark of Lewiston 28/12/08
      31.   Common sense 02:16  |  Peter Williams 28/12/08
      32.   about time 02:46  |  shimon 28/12/08
      33.   What`s true? 02:48  |  Ken 28/12/08
      34.   Lies 03:09  |  Asaf 28/12/08
      35.   Reply to Jeff Northridge (Post No. 1) 04:15  |  Johnny Weintraub 28/12/08
      36.   Right thing to do 04:35  |  Alex 28/12/08
      37.   #2 don, I am so impressed 04:35  |  Mark B. 28/12/08
      38.   ZIONIST LIARS 04:51  |  Yaacov 28/12/08
      39.   Blaming Barak?? 04:54  |  Jossef 28/12/08
      40.   IAF,IDF Best Palestenions. 04:55  |  Dr.Joji Cherian 28/12/08
      41.   Finally! 05:00  |  Stephanie 28/12/08
      42.   Disinformation, secrecy and lies ?????? 05:00  |  Free Gilad Shalit 28/12/08
      43.   To IAF / IDF Good luck and come home safely 05:02  |  Free Gilad Shalit 28/12/08
      44.   They didn`t clobber Hamas though 05:05  |  Marilyn 28/12/08
      45.   Same Ehud Barak who said that 2001 05:12  |  KenB 28/12/08
      46.   No3 05:12  |  Marilyn 28/12/08
      47.   hs, this could be a continuation of the same disinformation...... 05:32  |  Emanuel 28/12/08
      48.   Why the underhanded, sneaky so-and-so`s! 06:07  |  Jim 28/12/08
      49.   Hosni Mubarak 06:12  |  Palestinian 28/12/08
      50.   Disinformation, secrecy..., but why "lies"? Enemy`s Defeat!!!!!!! 06:26  |  Vittorio 28/12/08
      51.   We still have faith in Israel`s army - keep it up! 06:53  |  George 28/12/08
      52.   Barbarians! 06:54  |  KMansfield 28/12/08
      53.   Disinformation, secrecy and lies 06:59  |  D R 28/12/08
      54.   BRAVO IDF 07:04  |  MERNA 28/12/08
      55.   Its about time!!!! 07:08  |  Rambo 28/12/08
      56.   He has instructed the army to prepare ... OFFCOURSE 07:21  |  Ognjen Diamant 28/12/08
      57.   I completely agree with nr. 3, hs 07:23  |  vs 28/12/08
      58.   Nothing new, but maybe this time... 07:59  |  Dee 28/12/08
      59.   Israel two-faced as usual 08:05  |  Jason Talbot 28/12/08
      60.   IAF are COWARDS 08:11  |  Jon 28/12/08
      61.   How witty... 08:14  |  Katharina 28/12/08
      62.   Gaza Strike 09:00  |  Juan Tenorio 28/12/08
      63.   Every army has plans well in advance of every possibility. 09:05  |  Jo 28/12/08
      64.   CONTINUE WAR TO END GAZA HAMAS CONTROL! NO PLACE FOR TERROR AGAIN 09:11  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 28/12/08
      65.   Be ashamed to bomb civilians from air 09:16  |  Peace Maker 28/12/08
      66.   Jeff Northridge 09:23  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      67.   Juan 09:23  |  Ehud 28/12/08
      68.   #6 Civilians don`t wear military fatigues 09:25  |  Gili 28/12/08
      69.   No 4 - the end of any peace deal 09:25  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      70.   Barak at the centre of deception again. 09:32  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      71.   To #7 - Peacemaker 09:34  |  David 28/12/08
      72.   And what do we learn from that ?? The world can`t trust Israel... 09:38  |  Swiss (Dino) 28/12/08
      73.   To #13 (not #7) - Peacemaker 09:56  |  David 28/12/08
      74.   Katharina #9 You think so? 10:00  |  S 28/12/08
      75.   David - the response 10:14  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      76.   Swiss a true believer of HAMAS 10:23  |  Aby 28/12/08
      77.   I am reading all those condemnations of Barak`s ruse and 10:26  |  S 28/12/08
      78.   Yeah right morons 10:34  |  Marilyn 28/12/08
      79.   to Swiss Dino who lies? 10:38  |  CM 28/12/08
      80.   a very well crafted plan by barak and team 11:06  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/12/08
      81.   Jason Talbot and Mark of Lewiston 11:13  |  Elihu 28/12/08
      82.   I think both sides are nuts. 11:13  |  Andrew 28/12/08
      83.   War and killing - Israel`s speciality 11:28  |  Tony Price 28/12/08
      84.   What does this have to do with Iran? 11:34  |  Dave B 28/12/08
      85.   Now Hamas, and Hizb-Iran aka `Hizballah` is next 11:39  |  Stuart 28/12/08
      86.   Every competent military has a pre-game 11:41  |  dyinglikeflies 28/12/08
      87.   Tony P,"your electorate is a bit short on historical knowledge" 11:43  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/12/08
      88.   Israeli casualties 11:57  |  Jim Melia 28/12/08
      89.   WHAT REALLY HAPPENED 12:17  |  USA MILITARY EXPERT 28/12/08
      90.   Missed something: Where are exactly the `LIES` here??? 12:17  |  AA 28/12/08
      91.   Kol Hakavod 12:17  |  Ros 28/12/08
      92.   In reply #12 12:22  |  Israeli citizens 28/12/08
      93.   Shock & Awe is pure terrorism. 12:31  |  Michael 28/12/08
      94.   to Jason 12:38  |  me 28/12/08
      95.   #2 You are right but... 12:38  |  Mahdi 28/12/08
      96.   M of L, ever heard of contingency planning? 12:43  |  Peter Williams 28/12/08
      97.   Congratulations 12:47  |  KUTW 28/12/08
      98.   "disinformation, secrecy and lies"; the zionist`s forte 12:49  |  eric 28/12/08
      99.   7. Alan: dont forget the reasons why 12:52  |  KUTW 28/12/08
      100.   Refugee, bit of a stretch mate 12:59  |  Peter Williams 28/12/08
      101.   # 14 to refugee re: lol...i missed that little tidbit 13:01  |  eric 28/12/08
      102.   Rats amongst the ranks 13:20  |  Peter Williams 28/12/08
      103.   DinoSwiss displays his true colours 13:31  |  Peter Williams 28/12/08
      104.   #30, Mark of Lewiston 13:40  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/12/08
      105.   #21, Refugee 13:42  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/12/08
      106.   to #72 Swiss (Dino) 13:48  |  El_Justiciero 28/12/08
      107.   #98, eric on secrecy and disinformation 13:51  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/12/08
      108.   #30, Mark of Lewiston, post script 14:00  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/12/08
      109.   #20 wouter de wit 14:16  |  J. B. 28/12/08
      110.   you will receive your just reward throughout the world 14:18  |  Blackpool Rock 28/12/08
      111.   Cipora -I owe you from the previous thread 14:21  |  S 28/12/08
      112.   No. 105. Barak`s statement..... 15:36  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      113.   #1 Well planned !!?? 18:43  |  Albert 28/12/08
      114.   To Janice ---- Learn your history b4 you speak 23:47  |  Kobi 28/12/08
      115.   #112, Palestinian Brit 00:46  |  Bruce 29/12/08
      116.   # 107 you`re right cipora 03:48  |  eric 29/12/08
      117.   #15kms-What was so heroic about bombing the Gestapo?depends on wh 07:58  |  Susanna/Shoshana 29/12/08
      118.   Ouch 07:59  |  RFE 29/12/08
      119.   #21 you idiots, on the one hand Israel is criticized for not 08:18  |  Susanna/Shoshana 29/12/08
      120.   Olmert 08:25  |  MMM 29/12/08
      121.   I misspelled crapping-I hope all of Israel`s enemies are crapping 08:38  |  Susanna/Shoshana 29/12/08
      122.   IDF/IAF the best? Really? (to don) 08:43  |  Ali 29/12/08
      123.   Very Good 08:44  |  An American 29/12/08
      124.   # 111 to my friend "S" 09:07  |  eric 29/12/08
      125.   #124, Eric 10:12  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/12/08
      126.   Anything less would be irresponsible 10:26  |  David 29/12/08
      127.   CJK forgets to use her head #80 13:22  |  Roo 29/12/08
      128.   Disinformation 15:42  |  moni 29/12/08
      129.   Gaza offensive 21:44  |  Willem 29/12/08
      130.   To Janice ---- Learn your history b4 you speak 22:07  |  Stanley 29/12/08
      131.   #127, Roo, lacking in logic 23:49  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/12/08
      132.   CJK. Madame and *Logic* 01:04  |  Roo 30/12/08
      133.   Murdering civilians 03:25  |  Cam 30/12/08
      134.   #132, Roo 09:12  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 30/12/08
      135.   CJK 21:10  |  Roo 30/12/08
      136.   is that a fact, cipora? 22:50  |  hollingsworth 30/12/08
      137.   Disinformation, no, good planning 23:51  |  Nora 30/12/08
      138.   Do No Wrong 19:37  |  Mavi Hakiniv 31/12/08
      139.   Lies, part II 08:01  |  Norman Dale 05/01/09
      140.   Yes, Hollingsworth: There is no Santa Claus either. 08:09  |  Norman Dale 05/01/09
      141.   hate 20:55  |  hank 10/01/09
      142.   to Jason in Atlanta and all the other rabid anti-semites 13:42  |  Sallee 15/01/09
      143.   Best Armee in killing children 18:05  |  IsraHELL 10/02/09
      144.   Why? 03:58  |  Chris 19/03/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    The Pope in the Holy Land
    Durban II conference
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Air strike in Sudan
    More Headlines
    09:24 Obama: U.S. to be 'honest' with Israel on settlements
    11:12 Sirens sound across Israel in state's largest civilian drill
    13:13 Jewish gunman kills Arab, wounds another in Jerusalem
    02:49 Border Control /Nothing natural about it
    02:48 U.S. demands halt to hotel at E. J'lem wholesale market
    13:32 'I love the settlers; Tel Aviv's contribution to Israel is zero'
    12:56 Supermodel Bar Refaeli poses nude on cover of Esquire
    20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    12:01 High-powered U.S. lawyer Eizenstat to head Jewish policy institute
    12:16 U.S. to invite Iranian officials to 4th of July parties
    11:20 Egyptian police kill African migrant along Israel border
    07:46 Livni, Clinton voice support for gay community in Israel and U.S.
    02:48 How Gazan cash got buried in tunnels
    00:23 WATCH: Sacha Baron Cohen makes Eminem storm out of MTV awards
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved