"Analysis: Shock, awe... and deception." (Jerusalem Post)

[Adsos Letter]

I have yet to hear any of this aspect discussed.

From the Jerusalem Post, israel.jpost.com:

"The decision to launch such a blow against Hamas on Saturday was made during last Wednesday's security cabinet meeting. A secret meeting was held again on Friday between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, where the timing was finalized."

"After several of the decisions from Wednesday's cabinet meeting were leaked to the press, Barak decided on a strategy of deception - to deceive Hamas into believing that Israel was not planning to strike back."

"Barak took two actions to achieve this - the decision to open the Gaza crossings on Friday (which was announced on Thursday) and leaking to the press that there would be another cabinet meeting on Sunday to decide whether to attack. This created the perception that Israel was holding off on an operation when in reality it was fueling and arming its aircraft."

EDITED TO ADD: Would the deception have been likely to have decreased or increased the civilian casualties? I AM NOT SUGGESTING, AND DO NOT BELIEVE, THAT ISRAEL INTENDED ANY CIVILIAN CASUALTIES...I AM ONLY WONDERING WHAT EFFECT THIS TACTIC MIGHT HAVE HAD. I think it certainly increased the chances of killing as many Hamas militants and officers as possible.


"Barak and Olmert made a point Saturday to stress that the operation would be lengthy, possibly taking weeks. The end-strategy is still not completely formulated but officials said that if Hamas gets down on its knees and begs Israel to stop, the request will be considered."

LINK: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111721887&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

I have no idea who these "officials" might be, but how can this kind of statement help but inflame things?

[lutherj]

1. The Israelis are trying to do to the Palestinians what we did to the Native Americans.

My ancestors are from England. Shit, I got some land rights coming to me in Cornwall, those bastards.