Two Israeli armored divisions stand by outside Gaza
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report
December 29, 2008, 12:30 PM (GMT+02:00)
GBU-28 penetration bomb
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 the focus of combat switched Sunday, Dec. 28, Day 2 of the Israeli Gaza operation.
Israeli warplanes, helicopters and drones have been hovering around the clock over the enclave, picking up the slightest move by Hamas operatives and their missile launchers. They are using special measures to detect road traffic and missile crews for surgical strikes, thereby sowing confusion in Hamas ranks and not giving them a chance to regroup and recover from the crushing devastation of their military infrastructure since Saturday.
One key objective now is to soften Hamas resistance and prepare the ground for a large-scale invasion by two armored divisions. Monday, they showed first signs of regaining their missile- launching capability and stepping up the cross-border fire in Israeli locations.
The most important mission carried out by the Israeli Air Force Sunday was the destruction of 40 smuggling tunnels, severing Hamas' arms, fuel, ammunition and reinforcements lifeline from Iran and Syria via Egyptian Sinai. It raised the question of why this feat was not carried out during the three years since the tunnels began functioning.
Whereas Saturday, Israeli bombers struck with missiles, Sunday, they dropped Guided Bomb Unit-28 (GBU-28) on the Philadelphi tunnels. This laser-guided, 5,000-pound conventional munition was developed for penetrating hardened Iraqi command centers located deep underground. It carries a 4,400-pound penetrating warhead.
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.
As Israeli bombers, gunships and drones hovered overhead, picking up every move made by Hamas fighters and their missiles, Israeli stealth squads popped up at command posts, transport routes and missile squads, hit some and then faded away behind sand dunes. This tactic sowed confusion in Hamas ranks and gave them no chance to regroup and recover from the crushing air assault to their military infrastructure. The latest Palestinian death toll is estimated at 296.
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.
The most important mission carried out by the Israeli Air Force Sunday was the destruction of 40 smuggling tunnels, severing Hamas' arms, fuel, ammunition and reinforcements lifeline from Iran and Syria via Egyptian Sinai. It raised the question of why this feat was not carried out during the three years since the tunnels began functioning.
Whereas Saturday, the Israeli bombers struck with missiles, Sunday, they dropped Guided Bomb Unit-28s (GBU-28) on the Philadelphi tunnels. This laser-guided, 5,000-pound conventional munition was developed for penetrating hardened Iraqi command centers located deep underground. It carries a 4,400-pound penetrating warhead.
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