(Jerusalem Post) Yaakov Lappin - Southern Israel is experiencing the calmest period in 15 years along its border with northern Gaza, as Hamas continues to recover from the damage it sustained in the summer of 2014. Yet the quiet is deceptive, as preparations for future hostilities are being made on both sides of the border. Hamas has resumed construction of a network of attack tunnels aimed at getting terrorists into Israel, and it has resumed rocket production, relying on Iranian funding and know-how. On the Israeli side, the IDF's Northern Gaza Brigade has activated a new deployment pattern, based on territorial defense, rather than border patrols. The goal is to respond rapidly to any surprise attack from Gaza, and prevent Hamas cells from infiltrating Israeli communities to kill or kidnap. The army has redeployed its infantry, armored, artillery, and intelligence units for better control of the area, and has begun operating tunnel detection systems. Spread throughout the area, but hidden from view, are IDF tanks and artillery that can instantly deploy heavy fire. The electronic sensor border fence will soon be joined by a tall physical fence, which will resemble the barrier constructed on the border with Egypt.
2015-12-14 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive