Since the Palestinian factions broke the cease-fire fighting between
Gaza and Israel has resumed at such an intensity it is difficult to keep
track. The total of rockets fired has literally changed three times
whilst I've been writing this.
However at last count 175 rockets and mortars have been fired into
Israel. These included the shorter range, less sophisticated Qassam and
Grad type rockets which have focused on the areas of Israel on the
border with Gaza. It has also included plenty of the longer range, more
sophisticated M-75 and M-302 rockets which have succeeded in reaching
areas deep inside Israel including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Fortunately
due to a combination of the Iron Dome system and well co-ordinated
air-raid warnings and bomb shelters there have been no reports of deaths
or serious injuries amongst Israeli civilians. There however has been
limited damage to property including to a civilian home which received a
direct hit in Ashkelon and will probably have to be demolished although
the occupants were able to escape injury.
In response the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) have carried out between 50
and 80 air-strikes against targets in Gaza. The overwhelming majority of
these have been against rocket launch sites which have largely been
located in open areas of farmland rather then in densely populated
residential areas. However the IDF have also been carrying out targeted
strikes against known militants. This includes two confirmed kills
alongside a strike on the home of Mohammad Deif - the head of Hamas'
military wing - overnight. Rather displaying the almost reflex bias that
has been present throughout this conflict this was initially reported
in the western media as; "Woman and child killed in air-strike."
Although I don't think that there is any doubt Deif is a legitimate
target for IDF strikes he does rather highlight the complexity of the
situation. A very mysterious figure Deif has never been seen in public
while not wearing a disguise and I think only one photograph exists of
him and that was taken for his university ID some 30 years ago. As a
result Israeli intelligence aren't really sure what he looks like and
what he does so have only felt comfortable describing him as the head of
Hamas' military wing since Adnan al-Ghoul his assistant/rival was
killed in 2004. Obviously as a target it is reasonable that Deif would
try to keep his identity secret from the Israelis. However he is so
secretive I get the impression that Hamas' political wing which is based
in Qatar also don't know what he looks like and aren't themselves 100%
sure that he is the head of their military wing.
Obviously with such a man of mystery it is incredibly to difficult to
tell whether he was killed in the air-strike on his home or not. We do
know that a third body was recovered alongside the bodies of Deif's wife
and son. FOX News in America are reporting that an unnamed Israeli
intelligence official has confirmed that Deif has been killed. Hamas are
denying this though and are repeatedly claiming that it is carrying out
rockets attacks that Deif has ordered. However the way that Hamas are
claiming the rocket attacks will only stop when Deif gives the order for
them to stop suggests to me that they know that he won't be around to
give such an order.
(Originally Posted) 16:10 on 20/8/14 (UK date).
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