IDF worried Hamas may have advanced missiles

[oberliner]

There are grave concerns among the defense establishment about the possibility that Hamas' military wing in the Gaza Strip is now in possession of Sagger anti-tank missiles.

Recently, Hamas and other Palestinian paramilitary groups have stepped up their efforts to acquire more advanced anti-tank weaponry. This stems, in part, from the relative success of Hezbollah guerrillas armed with anti-tank missiles against infantry and armored units of the Israel Defense Forces during last summer's second Lebanon war.

The IDF fears Hamas has succeeded in its efforts to smuggle Sagger-type missiles from Sinai to the Gaza Strip. It appears that the number of missiles is especially large. However, the mere fact that such a weapon may be in Hamas' hands will affect the way IDF vehicles operate in the Gaza Strip, if it is decided to embark on an extensive offensive operation.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/828457.html

[Kagemusha]

1. The Sagger is 60's technology.

How advanced are we talking here?!

[Purveyor]

2. God forbid the Palestinians 'level the playing field' a bit, eh? n/t

[breakaleg]

3. I know. I guess it's tough when you fire at the other guy and he actually fires back!

[Solo_in_MD]

4. If the IDF can't use its tanks, it will use aircraft and artilery including cluster munitions

Tanks actually meant less overall damage. Seems odd when you consider it.

[breakaleg]

5. Didn't they use tanks when they fired at those homes with an extended family killing

was it 19? I'm not sure on the exact number, so don't quote me.

[Solo_in_MD]

9. so you would rather they kill hundreds instead?

If the IDF feels it necessary to go in, in they will go. They will want to minimize casualities on their side. If their tanks are being shot up and the crews killed, they will use artlilery and air strikes. Warfare can be a bloody calculus, and 19 killed by a tank shell is better than hundreds killed in an artillery barrage.

I'm not endorsing IDF attacks, but consider the math. I don't like it either.

[oberliner]

6. So we're pro Hamas having advanced missiles?

Interesting in light of this from the Guidelines for the forum:

If you feel great affinity to groups who are promoting hate in the Middle East such as Kahane, or Hamas; feel there is a Jewish conspiracy governing US foreign policy or control of the media; or believe supporters of Islam or Palestinian Nationalism are terrorists, then you are probably likely to be banned.

[breakaleg]

7. No. I think Israel doesn't show enough discretion with its weapons or in its treatment of the

Palestinians and is hardly in a position to dictate what the other side is and isn't allowed to do when they fight back. I'm aware of the US position on this, but I'm also aware of all of the crap Israel gets away with.

[pelsar]

8. consequenses...

yes i know...no one likes to "go there"...after all it sort of disrupts short term thinking:

but i shall explain: anti tank missles means the IDF in gaza (remember gaza?....israel left or at least tried to....) will shoot "from afar"....using larger munitions, with a shorter "free to fire" control and command...that means less exact fire and more palestinians killed. (but thats really not the concern, that i figured out already)

thats the consequence of hamas getting/using advanced anti tank weapons.

there was "level playing fields"..with egypt, syria and jordan, they realized that when that happens, it doesnt work so well to their side, palestenians just dont "get it"