Gaza Update

Israel continues its advance into Gaza city, and Aviation Week has an analysis of the tactics of the the ground assault on Gaza by the Israelis (paid subscription required) and it appears that the tactics were a surprise to Hamas, which is a very real difference from what happened in 2006 against Hezbollah.

They were expecting an incursion from the north, and by attacking from the east, they cut both the supply and communications to the militias who had moved north to face an assault that never happened.

In 2006, the IDF, under the command of a Chief who was an Air Force General, showed none of this initiative, because, big surprise here, the Air force always thinks that it can win a war on its own.

An interesting bit of technology has entered the fray, a FLIR with automatic gain control, which can give near-instantaneous BDA while the fireball is still present.

That being said, for all the tactical and technological skills on display here, I still don't see a strategic goal in anything done so far, with the possible exception of the seizure of Hamas broadcasting facilities.

There are reports that Hamas is now calling for a week long cease fire, and they are demanding an Israeli troop pullout as a part of this.

I am not sure if this is a sign of weakness or strength on the part of Hamas, or just some sort of theater.