Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., December 29, 2008 Tevet 2, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:10 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Shadow of Lebanon / Shock and awe By Amos Harel The First Gaza War, which began yesterday, is being waged under the heavy shadow of the Second Lebanon War. If the first days of that war were characterized by bragging and the use of relatively little force, this time Israel is trying the opposite: Its goals are quite modest, and the strength, considering the small area of Gaza, is great. It is the heaviest attack on the Gaza Strip since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel's opening attack was on Hamas headquarters, launchers and commanders. Among the hundreds of dead are major figures in the organization's military wing. The effect of the surprise was to engender "shock and awe," like the American attack on Iraq in 2003. The IDF hopes the attack on the Hamas chain of command will make it difficult to operate over the next few days. Advertisement Rocket fire has meanwhile been less than expected, partially because the Israel Air Force managed to hit some of the launchers. But Hamas can fire some 200 rockets a day at Israel, and since yesterday, Israel has given it the motivation. GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Yoav Gallant had pushed in recent years for action, and yesterday the plan prepared by the Southern Command and the air force went into action. Gallant is commanding a significant part of the battle from Be'er Sheva, overseen by the chief of staff in Tel Aviv. In Jerusalem it has not been decided whether to commit ground forces deep into the Strip. At this point, that move appears very risky. Long months of systematic action will be required, and Israel does not have a diplomatic plan for the end of the fighting. It seems that the government would be happy if an external element (the United States? The United Nations?) stopped the operation, but only after Hamas is struck a major blow. Military Intelligence says Hamas does not want an all-out war and that Hamas was surprised at the strength of the IDF response. Israel's technological edge, in a small area like Gaza, is great as long as it does not get mired down in the refugee camps and cities. However the wider implications of the conflict are unknown. If Hamas manages to drag Hezbollah into the area, bring about violent demonstrations by Israeli Arabs or initiate suicide bombings in Jerusalem, things could change. It is best to remember that all the objections Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Barak stated until two weeks ago are still valid. Israel has the element of surprise and control of the air space. But we can assume the Palestinians will be coming up with some surprises of their own. Victory celebrations should wait. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bombing protest A suicide bomber blows himself up amid an anti-Israel protest in Iraq. Underground medicine Ashkelon's hospital moves essential departments into an underground bomb shelter.

Read & React Gazans breach Egypt border as IAF hits more than 40 Gaza smuggling tunnels Responses: 251 Bradley Burston: Gaza war: The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear Responses: 124 Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about Responses: 114 Iran orders all Muslims to defend Palestinians against Israeli raids Responses: 104 Gideon Levy: The neighborhood bully strikes again Responses: 91 More Headlines 00:42 In response to Gaza raids, Hamas threatens to assassinate Livni, Barak 23:18 Hezbollah: Israel may take this opportunity to attack Lebanon 01:10 ANALYSIS / Key Arab states hope for weakened Hamas 22:48 In protest of Gaza attacks, Syria halts indirect talks with Israel 23:19 Anti-Israel protests over Gaza raids draw thousands across Europe 23:25 ADL slams UN condemnation of Israel Gaza op as 'sheer hypocrisy' 23:27 Suicide bomber kills 1, wounds 16 at protest against Gaza raids in Iraq 09:07 IN PICTURES / Israel strikes the Gaza Strip 00:10 Cost of calling up 6,700 reservists for Gaza op is NIS 3 million a day 23:33 Saudi cleric issues fatwa urging Muslims to avenge Gaza raids 20:31 Israeli Arabs protesting Gaza campaign clash with police 19:45 'Little Baghdad' in Gaza - bombs, fear and rage 22:11 Ashkelon hospital moves its essential departments underground 22:40 Two Katyusha rockets hit Ashdod area, Gaza militants' furthest target yet 19:46 UN Security Council calls for immediate halt to Gaza violence 23:54 Report: Amid Gaza op, IAF sets off sonic booms over Lebanon Previous Editions Select Day 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 SURF RAMBAM Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research. Summer Camp in Israel The best place for your children this summer Academic Studies in Israel All the Q & A at the IDC HERZLIYA Open House, January 9,2009 Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Car rental in Israel Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright 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