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ANALYSIS / Hamas fighting power still exists in Gaza By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: gaza, hamas, IDF, Israel news New data on the rockets fired by Hamas during Operation Cast Lead indicate that Israel's ground presence and aerial attacks have partially damaged Hamas' rocket-launching capability. However, the Israel Defense Forces has not critically impaired Hamas' ability to launch rockets. The Shin Bet security service said yesterday that Palestinians fired 530 rockets at Israel in the first 16 days of fighting in Gaza, and another 40 in the last two days - an average of 30 rockets a day, though the peak figure was 74 on the third day of the war. Most of the rockets are home-grown Qassams with a range of 7 kilometers. About 60 of the rockets that have been fired, or 12 percent, are Katyushas (Grads), most of which have been smuggled in through underground tunnels. Those are the rockets that are hitting Ashkelon, Ashdod, Be'er Sheva and Gedera. Over the past nine days, Hamas has continued firing rockets, an average of about 20 a day. This shows the Hamas military wing is functioning, giving orders to its fighters and maintaining its rocket capability. Although the Shin Bet did not provide its own assessment, reports from several sources indicate that Hamas has smuggled a total of 150 Katyushas, leaving it with about 100, though possibly more - enough to last for two weeks of rocket fire. The ground incursion has not significantly changed the face of the war, certainly as long as the IDF is not ordered to recapture Gaza, which does not look likely. Israel wants to prevent its own human losses and thus makes extensive use of firepower, which causes many civilian casualties and damage to property. Israel is eager to engage Hamas fighters in battle, while Hamas wishes to reserve its force for a decisive battle or the war's aftermath. But the IDF has not made impressive strides in creative psychological warfare by, for example, using its special forces to abduct Hamas military leaders and present them befor the cameras. Under such circumstances, it would have been better for Israel to agree to the UN cease-fire proposal, even though it turned out that Hamas rejected it. Israel could have won sympathy and been portrayed as not over eager to sow death and destruction, while still continuing to fight the war. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Following Chavez Bolivia cuts ties with Israel, says it seeks war crimes charges. Who needs the Knesset? Arab parties: We'll establish an alternative Arab parliament.   1.   Who will be the grown up? 12:28  |  Natallie Durson 14/01/09   2.   HAMAS FIGHTING POWER STILL EXISTS IN THE GAZA !. 13:28  |  Orao Stranka. 14/01/09   3.   Israel should not blink first 14:44  |  MOYSES 14/01/09   4.   Thank you, Melman. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 14:49  |  Johnboy 14/01/09   5.   no change 16:23  |  Paul 14/01/09   6.   Hamas evil 19:24  |  truth 14/01/09   7.   Lets face it; the mission is a failure up until now, 19:43  |  Kris Lazar 14/01/09   8.   Israel achieved its main goal 19:45  |  Jordan 14/01/09   9.   Did any sane person expect? 19:52  |  Mark Lincoln 14/01/09

Read & React Olmert ignoring calls from Barak, Livni for immediate Gaza truce Responses: 71 Harel & Issacharoff: Is Hamas waiting on Obama for Gaza truce? Responses: 27 Hamas: We accept Egypt's proposal for Gaza truce - with reservations Responses: 44 Diplomats: Gaza op causing long-term harm to Israel's image Responses: 88 Israel's defense establishment backs an immediate cease-fire in Gaza Responses: 46 More Headlines 23:28 Hamas: We accept Egypt's proposal for Gaza truce - with reservations 00:09 ANALYSIS / Egypt's Gaza truce plan is mostly bad for Hamas 00:46 IDF soldier seriously hurt in anti-tank missile attack in Gaza 23:34 Hamas Health Ministry: More than 1,000 dead in Gaza 00:06 Rice: Olmert's claims regarding my Gaza UN resolution vote are 'fiction' 21:11 Arab parties: We'll establish an alternative Arab parliament 23:48 U.S. authorities remove 'Adolf Hitler,' 2 siblings with Nazi-like names from family home 23:48 For the first time, Gaza militants fire phosphorus shell at Israel 00:28 Author: Report of jihadist death threats to Madonna old news 23:23 Feminist group slams former envoy to UN Gillerman for 'tasteless' jokes about women 19:36 Bolivia cuts ties with Israel, seeks genocide charges against Israeli officials 17:21 3 rockets fired from Lebanon hit north Israel; IDF returns fire 19:58 Four people hurt as fire rages at Ashdod chemical plant 16:53 Israel indicts two Iran TV journalists for reporting on Gaza ground invasion Previous Editions Select Day 14 jan 13 jan 12 jan 11 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan

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