[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Jeffrey White - The IDF recently monitored Hamas' launch of a 60-km-range Iranian rocket from Gaza into the Mediterranean Sea. A rocket with such a range can reach the southern outskirts of Tel Aviv as well as targets across much of southern Israel. According to Amos Yadlin, IDF director of military intelligence, Hamas now has "dozens" of rockets with a 60-km range. Hamas' new rocket capabilities must also be seen in the context of Hizbullah's acquisition of rockets with a 300-km range. In a possible two-front war, this means that most of Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, would be within rocket range. From Israel's standpoint, the threats to its large population centers will likely make the government more willing to deal decisively with a revamped threat from Hamas. This would probably mean a comprehensive air and ground offensive throughout Gaza - one that would far exceed the scope of last winter's Gaza operation. The writer is a defense fellow at The Washington Institute.
2009-11-19 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive