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Last update - 08:23 28/12/2008
GOC Southern Command: IDF will send Gaza back decades
By Uri Blau
Tags: Israel, Gaza, Israel news 

In attacking Hamas' regime in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces will try to "send Gaza decades into the past" in terms of weapon capabilities while achieving "the maximum number of enemy casualties and keeping Israel Defense Forces casualties at a minimum," GOC Southern Command Yoav Galant said.

Major General Galant, one of the key figures in the Israeli operation that began Saturday in the Gaza Strip, said this during discussions before the move. Israel's aim in the operation will be to significantly damage Hamas' leadership, tactical capabilities and smuggling routes, he said.

Despite efforts to keep IDF casualties to a minimum, Galant said that once troops are actually sent after the enemy, "what will take precedence is the need to fulfill the mission." He added, "Under no circumstance can we accept a norm that leaves missions unmet."
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As for Hamas' military presence in Gaza, Galant proposed treating it as a force tantamount to a fortified infantry division with anti-tank capabilities, deployed in defensive formations. The urban setting - Gaza is one of the world's most densely populated areas - "presents complexities and difficulties," he said.

This setting dictates that ground forces closely cooperate with the Air Force. "This will underline our military achievements and reinforce our legitimacy in continuing the IDF activities," he added.

Hamas' militant force is several thousand strong, according to the Southern Command leader. "The longer Israel waits, the more capabilities Hamas will accumulate and develop, allowing Hamas to reduce Israel's relative advantage over the organization," Galant said before the operation was launched.

He also said that should Israel "be forced to launch the operation" instead of launching it at a time of its convenience, then "this will cost the Israeli side dearly on the battlefield."

Galant said he is concerned that Hamas might acquire surface-to-sea ballistic capabilities, allowing it to target Israel Navy vessels, as when Hezbollah nearly sank the INS Hanit off Beirut's shores in the summer of 2006.

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      1.   In what world Yoav Galant lives? 05:27  |  Mark B. 28/12/08
      2.   Take back Philadelphi Corridor 05:29  |  Bennie 28/12/08
      3.   Not much of a push, sir! 05:41  |  Jim 28/12/08
      4.   Decades? 06:11  |  Sam 28/12/08
      5.   May God be with all our lads 06:15  |  Free Gilad Shalit 28/12/08
      6.   our new Makabies doing the job right 06:59  |  reuven 28/12/08
      7.   The end of Hamas, and then what? 07:00  |  Chas. 28/12/08
      8.   GOOD News.... 07:02  |  Hassoun 28/12/08
      9.   Yoav Galant makes some bold promises... 07:08  |  BBSNews 28/12/08
      10.   Accurate Appraisal 07:28  |  Jeff Northridge 28/12/08
      11.   "send Gaza decades into the past" 07:35  |  Silvienne 28/12/08
      12.   destroy hamas 08:39  |  jim 28/12/08
      13.   War against terrorism. 09:12  |  Jean Van Daem 28/12/08
      14.   Will Send Humanity Decades into Past 09:29  |  Hen McKinley 28/12/08
      15.   Gaza is the poorest place on earth !!! 09:31  |  palestinian 28/12/08
      16.   Poorest Gazans ahead of Darfur, Zimbawe, Congo, Chechnya and many 10:09  |  Genuine Tosefta 28/12/08
      17.   palestinian holocaust in gaza 10:13  |  freedom fighter 28/12/08
      18.   Is this guy for real? 10:25  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      19.   Smoke Screen 10:32  |  Harry Katzen 28/12/08
      20.   TERRORISE! The only thing Hamas knows how to do best 10:45  |  Dagma 28/12/08
      21.   TERRORISE! The only thing Hamas knows how to do best 10:45  |  Dagma 28/12/08
      22.   navyDefense 11:01  |  Yaacob 28/12/08
      23.   break out the sweets!!! 11:15  |  coffe bob 28/12/08
      24.   #1, Mark B, are you advocating for nuclear terror? 11:28  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/12/08
      25.   Why only decades Galant? It is not enough 11:34  |  Genuine Tosefta 28/12/08
      26.   Response to "decades" 11:52  |  Sam 28/12/08
      27.   Dan Halutz, 2006: We will send them 2 decades into the past 12:07  |  Danny 28/12/08
      28.   Israel`s tragedy: Never learning from its mistakes 12:15  |  Danny 28/12/08
      29.   Take Back EVERYTHING! 12:43  |  Josephus 28/12/08
      30.   send gaza decades back... what an ugly thing to say 12:45  |  ClearCut 28/12/08
      31.   Cipora, I owe you that 12:46  |  S 28/12/08
      32.   Cipora #24 What a perfect answer from you to Mark B! 12:52  |  S 28/12/08
      33.   Danny #26 12:54  |  S 28/12/08
      34.   God Bless Israel and all her people 12:59  |  Nechama 28/12/08
      35.   To Palestinian Brit # 18 - This guy is for REAL 13:03  |  Natasha 28/12/08
      36.   For Cipora # 24 13:10  |  Clickfool 28/12/08
      37.   to no 17 freedomfighter 13:12  |  Tina 28/12/08
      38.   To S @ 30 - But this dangerous `Cancer` can be cured today 13:21  |  Alina Adrian 28/12/08
      39.   Join me in this prayer, Nechama # 34 13:29  |  Clickfool 28/12/08
      40.   # 8 HOUSSAN BEST NEWS IS 13:51  |  Petra 28/12/08
      41.   # 9 BBS go to gaza and see for yourself! 13:53  |  Petra 28/12/08
      42.   # 4 Sam AMEN! THE WORLD REJOICES 13:55  |  Petra 28/12/08
      43.   # 11 Gazas aflame and we love it! 13:56  |  Petra 28/12/08
      44.   Who said domistication of the wild is easy? 14:19  |  Future owner of Hama 28/12/08
      45.   clickfool 14:20  |  david 28/12/08
      46.   #17. palestinian holocaust in gaza 14:28  |  Jeff Webber 28/12/08
      47.   Yoav,in order to achieve this goal 15:23  |  chaim schonbrun 28/12/08
      48.   Jeff Webber 15:27  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      49.   Petra - how did you escape the moderator? 15:28  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      50.   Petra - keep taking the pills dear..... 15:31  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      51.   David. His name is GOD 15:33  |  Palestinian Brit 28/12/08
      52.   in 1967, Ben Gurion overtly stated 15:38  |  jc 28/12/08
      53.   Mark B #1 23:56  |  Peter Williams 29/12/08
      54.   Hamas is genocidal 02:35  |  David Hickson 30/12/08
      55.   `Send Gaza back decades` 09:51  |  Colin Wright 30/12/08
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