[The Australian] Abraham Rabinovich - Israel's endgame in Gaza is proving as surprising and remorseless as the stunning air attack that opened the war. The unexpected armored plunge towards the heart of Gaza City on Thursday, and air attacks on two of Hamas' top political figures, seem to have had a psychological dimension, undermining Hamas' morale and avoiding any ambiguity about the outcome of the war. With Israeli tanks reaching within 4 km of the center of Gaza City and encountering only sporadic fire, it will be difficult for Hamas to claim heroic resistance. Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashal in Damascus said Israel had lost more men in battle than Hamas had. Hamas has not given a figure for its battle dead but Israel puts it in the hundreds and its own fatalities at ten. It was revealed Friday that Israeli naval commandos had landed at several points along the Gaza coast at night and were fighting militants.
2009-01-19 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive