Israeli troops still outside Hamas rocket strongholds in urban centersDEBKAfile Special Report January 5, 2009, 12:31 PM (GMT+02:00)  Gaza skyline in second week of Israel's offensive against Hamas High-placed Israeli officers have told DEBKAfile's sources that the Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip Saturday night, Jan. 3, gained less ground in its first 24 hours than officially indicated - in much the same way as civilian casualties are overstated by the Palestinian side. While essentially bisecting the Gaza Strip, the tanks and armored infantry had not entered urban areas by early Monday, Jan 5. So far, moreover, none of Hamas' five Ezza e-Din al Qassam's military brigades have yet been seriously degraded – a key Israeli objective. | ||
Israeli forces tighten siege on Gaza City, deploy at Philadelphi to block Hamas' weapons routeDEBKAfile Special Report January 4, 2009, 12:32 PM (GMT+02:00)  Israeli troops in Gaza 1st Sgt. Dvir Emanueloff, 22, from Givat Zeev, died in battle with Hamas in Jibalya Sunday. DEBKAfile's military sources report that on the second day of their ground offensive, Sunday, Jan 4, Day 9 of its offensive against Hamas, Israeli forces closed their siege encirclement of Gaza City. One soldier was killed, 31 injured – one critically, an officer and soldier seriously, the rest moderately and lightly. At least 30 Hamas gunmen were killed in the first thrust of Israel armored infantry, tanks, engineering, artillery and intelligence units into the enclave after a week of intense airstrikes. Armored and infantry units are fighting for control of Philadelphi arms smuggling corridor.
DEBKAfile Special report January 5, 2009, 12:28 PM (GMT+02:00)  Turkish prime minister breaks diplomatic bounds The close, longstanding Turkish-Israel relationship may be the first strategic casualty of Israel's Gaza offensive against Hamas. Monday, Jan. 5, Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan outdid many of the Jewish state's enemies in vituperation when he accused Israel of "perpetrating inhuman actions which would bring it to self-destruction. Allah will sooner or later punish those who transgress the rights of innocents," he said. If his hostility toward Israel persists, the fallout for American Middle East policies and Israel's defense position in the region will be far-reaching. DEBKAfile traces the events leading up to the rupture in a special report below. | ||
Monday, 5 January 2009
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