RBO: Batchelor Coverage of Gaza

I snatched this post from our friend RBO, because it really is an outstanding roundup that keeps us up-to-date on the goings on at the Gaza Strip . I have combined her coverage of January 3 and 4.

*********************

Batchelor: Green Light Gaza: Armor Force Targets Rocket Sites (Update and Video)

January 3, 2009 by Procrustes

John Batchelor, who is following the situation in Gaza very closely, writes this afternoon on his blog:

The Immediate IDF Challenge Is To Secure the Rocket Sites

Because the Hamas teams have kept their 220mm Katyushas until the eventuality of the ground action, and the Hamas rocket teams will have the shoot order now. Left a photo of a large secondary explosion in the north Gaza, perhaps a weapons cache or more likely a fuel dump. The 220mm Katyusha can reach Dimona and Tel Aviv. We can expect air raid drills in Tel Aviv if and when Hamas gets off a barrage.

• Israeli troops move into Gaza Strip. First ground action of 8-day offensive

• Israeli ground forces enter Gaza in escalation

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli tanks and infantry entered Gaza after nightfall Saturday, launching a ground offensive that the military said would be a “lengthy operation” in a widening war on Gaza’s Hamas rulers.

• Israeli Troops Launch Attack on Gaza

The battle plan is for the Golani Brigade and the Para Brigade to clear the wire for the tank spearheads. It is dark another six to seven hours, and the IDF owns the night with night-vision goggles (right) and sites and UAVs. The big Hamas bunkers are likely in the southern Gaza. The same for the video of destroyed buildings and dead civilians. Speaking to my best sources soon, and we will have several reports from Jerusalem on Sunday 4. Last report was that the IDF is expecting Hamas to launch its longest range rockets. The Israeli Cabinet is reported to have approved an operation to destroy the Hamas military leadership. No update on the Egyptian military blocking at the border. See the first photo below from Haaretz of the IDF armor crossing the wire at dusk. The early reports are of ground fire and Hamas resistance. But mostly Hamas will be on the run into the population centers. The IDF must secure the northern rocket sites.

• Israel launches ground operation in Gaza Strip

IDF: Ground op aims to deal a direct, hard blow to Hamas while increasing Israel’s power of deterrence.

• Barak: Gaza invasion won’t be short, and it won’t be easy

Defense Minister: We don’t want war, but we can’t abandon Israeli citizens victimized by Hamas.

Update 1: “Israel Radio reports that the IDF has gained control over the rocket launch sites in northern Gaza and that ‘tens’ of ‘Palestinians’ have been wounded. They played a tape of Hamas spokesman Mussa Abu Marzouk trying to encourage the ‘Palestinians’ from his safe house in Damascus.”

Fox News: Israeli Troops Moving Into Gaza, 01/03/09:

Update 2: Most recent video clips (1/3/09 17:00 ET):

MSNBC: Palestinian View of Israel Gaza Ground Invasion, 01/03/09:

Source unknown: Gaza, 01/03/09:

LiveLeak: IDF Artillery Targets Gaza, 01/03/09:

Israeli Attack on Rafah Border, 01/03/09:

*************************

And here is RBO’s update for January 4:

Batchelor: Dawn Gaza

January 4, 2009 by Procrustes

John Batchelor writes early this morning (02:00 ET) on his blog:

Early Reports Confirm 2 IDF KIA

Unconfirmed one additional IDF KIA, for a total of three KIA at this time. Dozens WIA. The wounded are evacuated to a hospital in Beersheba. The early reports are consistent with an armor led strike on the north Gaza. This region is rolling sand dunes. The Mediterranean ocean is less than five kilometers from any point. The towers of Gaza City loom. These dunes are the choice launch sites for the Katyushas north to Ashkelon and Beersheba. There was a report overnight that five more rockets were fired from the north, however they were the crude Qassams.

What Is the IDF Mission?

There are general plans in the open sources however no specific targets. Where are the 220 mm Katyusha rockets? Where is command for the rockets? The IDF must secure the rocket sites not only in the north but also in the south. The south of Gaza from the abandoned Israeli farms to the Rafak border is lightly populated and rolling dunes to the sea. The tunnels from Sinai open in Rafak. From there, it would be straightforward to transfer weapons and rockets the ten kilometers to bunkers in the dead center of the Gaza Strip. Gush Katif. Khan Younis. Is this the mission target? Is this what those IDF 155mm armor units (below) are shooting at?

Europe Confused, UN is Babel

The presidency of the EU passed to the Czech Republic Juri Potuznik on January 1; and right on time President Potuznik remarked a sensible supporting remark, “At the moment, from the perspective of the last days, we understand this step as a defensive, not offensive, action.” The former president of the EU was Nicholas Sarkozy of France, who used his Foreign Ministry to comment most negatively, “France condemns the Israeli ground offensive against Gaza as it condemns the continuation of rocket firing.”

Confusing? No, it’s the EU practicing good cop/bad cop; and all on French TV. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council listened to a condemnation of Israel authored by Libya. The US is given credit for laughing Libya’s genius out of the chamber. The UN will return to the staircase to Babel today for Monday headlines. I expect to read threats and promises all this evening Sunday 4.

CNN: Confirms that Israeli troops have moved into Gaza, 01/03/09:

AFP: IDF Firing Artillery Rounds Clearing The Way For Ground Assault Offensive Gaza, 01/03/09:

RBO Tip: Check Memeorandum for regular updates on this news story.