DEBKAfile Exclusive Report
December 28, 2008, 11:26 PM (GMT+02:00)
Amid continuing massive air strikes and wide speculation about whether or not Israeli ground forces will cross into the Gaza Strip, DEBKAfile's military sources report small groups of Israeli special forces were already carrying out swift hit-and-run raids Sunday, Dec. 28, on Day 2 of the Israeli Gaza operation.
This ground operation, which is likely to intensify Sunday overnight, has two objectives:
1. To mark key targets for air bombardment;
2. To blaze the way for a large-scale armored incursion still to come.
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Lebanon reports intense Israeli air activity
December 28, 2008, 6:33 PM (GMT+02:00)
Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter
A Lebanese security official reported that five Israeli aircraft overflew Bin Jbeil in South Lebanon and then headed for the Mediterranean port town of Tyre further north. He also reported a reconnaissance aircraft cruised over the South all night. Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah is due to speak later Sunday, Dec. 28, about Israel's air operation in Gaza.
Earlier this week, Lebanese sappers disarmed 13 rockets pointing at Israeli cities.
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Gaza Operation Day 2: Israel calls up 6,500 reservists, Hamas steps up long-range rocket attacks
DEBKAfile Special Report
December 28, 2008, 6:30 PM (GMT+02:00)
Israeli tanks just outside Gaza
The Israeli cabinet Sunday, Dec. 28, approved call-up orders for 6,500 reservists the day after Israel's devastating assault on hundreds of Hamas military sites in Gaza, in which 282 Palestinians, 90 percent in uniform, were killed. Hamas activated its Iran-made improved Grad Katyusha unit long distance bringing some 700,000 Israelis within range.
In Gaza City, Israeli bombs struck the government center, headquarters of the Hamas security services and two police compounds, the Rafah governate and Beit Hanoun municipality.
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Next: Israel prepares Gaza ground incursion, Hamas gears for suicide terror
DEBKAfile Special Analysis
December 27, 2008, 11:04 AM (GMT+02:00)
Hamas compounds flattened
DEBKAfile's military sources assess the next stage of Israel's Gaza campaign as being a ground incursion of the Gaza Strip, to follow up the air bombardment of Hamas compounds Saturday, Dec. 27. Hamas estimates that in four minutes, dozens of Israeli bombers and helicopters flattened 30 "high profile" sites. At least 350 Palestinians were killed, 90 percent of them Hamas operatives.
Hamas is not not ready to show a white flag and will make a supreme effort to retaliate from Gaza, Lebanon and West Bank. Israel will therefore proceed to Stage Two of its Gaza operation.
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Israeli killed in Netivot by Gaza missile. Fifty-three fired Saturday night
December 27, 2008, 6:31 PM (GMT+02:00)
Retaliating for Israeli air strikes which destroyed Hamas compounds across Gaza, Saturday, Dec. 27, a Palestinian missile struck a home in Netivot, killing an Israeli man and injuring 7 civilians, three seriously. Another hit Kiryat Gat and Ashkelon sustained a volley of missiles. The Sderot synagogue took a direct hit, injuring two worshippers, one seriously.
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