Point of information

[unixronin]

If you're Hamas, and you can't find a place in the north-eastern end of the Gaza Strip (see satellite view here) from which to fire rockets into Israel that does not put a school, a hospital, an apartment building etc. within the target zone for counterbattery fire, it's because you're not even trying.

Comments

[luxobscura.livejournal.com]

It's kinda comical, really, and whereas the US falls for it every time because we're running dual military/PR campaigns constantly, the IDF just doesn't give a shit, having lost the "hearts and minds" campaign ages ago.

My fascination with the IDF probably stems from the fact that they are, in many ways, such a "pure" combat force. No pacification, no "hearts and minds", no complicated ROEs...just their A-game in full blitz mode.

[ilcylic.livejournal.com]

No pacification, no "hearts and minds", no complicated ROEs...just their A-game in full blitz mode.

Nah. If that were true, the problem would have been solved 40 years ago.

[luxobscura.livejournal.com]

Well okay, they haven't busted out a nuke yet, but that wouldn't exactly be wise given the close quarters of the parties involved. And population wise, there's only so much they can do.
But the wars of 1948, 1967 and 1972 were a pretty good indication of the type of thrashing you can expect if you push it too far.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Well, if the Knesset would turn'em loose, yeah....

[Knesset] "We'd like you in Damascus in three days. Weapons free."
[IDF] "We're on it."