erate underground, even beneath civilian areas. Israel has proudly destroyed many of these tunnels, dealing Hamas a psychological and practical blow.
Iran is the biggest provider of weapons to Islamic Jihad and Hamas. They provide both ready to use weapons which are smuggled in, as well as funds and technical knowledge….
As well as taking out weapons stores and manufacturing sites, Israel has taken out numerous developers and engineers key to Hamas’ capability. By their most conservative estimates, they have killed over 75 enemy combatants. They have also eliminated rocket launchers (often stationed in civilian areas) and underground tunnel systems, particularly in Shejaiya and Beit Hanoun.
Israel’s famous ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence system has succeeded with over 90 per cent of its interceptions, saving lives every single day. Without it, the situation would have been far worse for Israel. And for the first time, Iron Dome has been used to intercept kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) sent from Gaza. Israeli military sources say this is the first time in the world that a UAV has been taken down by a missile defence system.
There is no ceasefire in sight, and while hundreds of rockets continue to be launched, Israel says it won’t even discuss the end of its action. The IDF reports it has so far struck more than 672 military targets and has significantly degraded Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s ability to produce new rockets by attacking their Research and Development and production facilities. Hamas will not be able to replace what they are firing now for several years to come, increasing the chance of stability and calm in the future.
Stability and calm of a sort….until the next intifada.
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