Israel approves 75,000 troops for possible Gaza ground operation

[lovuian]

The Israeli Cabinet has authorized the call-up of 75,000 reserve troops as the air assault against Gaza intensifies, and amid growing speculation a ground invasion is imminent.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approval was made just hours after a request from the Defense Minister to call-up a record 75,000 reserve troops, Haaretz reports. During ‘Operation Cast Lead’ in 2008, Israel mobilized some 10,000 reserves in preparation for the ground incursion.

The Israeli government had already given its approval to ready 30,000 reserve troops on Thursday, 16,000 of which have already been mobilized.




They are talking ground incursion ....and then there is Egypt
http://rt.com/news/israel-cabinet-approves-reservists-912/

[glacierbay]

1. Egypt?

What's Egypt going to do except mouth platitudes of support for Hamas?

[lovuian]

2. They think it is about the Israeli upcoming elections

The Freedom and Justice Party, political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, said in a statement Tuesday that the operations against the Gaza Strip and Golan Heights were related to the upcoming January elections in Israel.

Okasha however said he didn’t believe the violence is part of an election campaign, instead suggesting that Israel does have an interest “showing that the Muslim Brotherhood [through its affiliation with Hamas] is threatening the security of Israel and that Morsy is not doing his job.”
http://dailynewsegypt.com/2012/11/13/israel-ponders-incursion-into-gaza/
from Egypt

[glacierbay]

4. Now that would make sense.

Thanks. My wife has family living in Tel Aviv and she is frantic about those rockets being fired into Israel, she's very hard line when it comes to Israel's security, she served in the IDF back in the early 70's.

[lovuian]

7. Just to let your wife no They are pounding the supply lines

Air raid into Gaza are going after the tunnels
Israel continues deadly Gaza air raids
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/11/2012111743731924984.html

Here is something of interest
The attack aimed at Jerusalem on Friday and strikes on the Tel Aviv area twice this week underscored the fighters' new capabilities, including a locally made rocket that appears to have taken Israeli defence officials by surprise

It is amazing how many rockets are being fired

and they say Hamas is resupplied

this really sucks

[glacierbay]

11. Thanks

She's been following CNN and MSNBC and she talked to her cousins yesterday, so far everyone is OK.

[ann---]

3. Nothing but

warmongers...

For the Palestinians living in Israel - it is apartheid, plain and simple. There are two sides to this....as always

http://www.alternativenews.org/english/

[GitRDun]

5. A striking resemblance to pre Iraq

US. The neocons learn no lessons.

[lovuian]

10. I have to agree The word was they were talking a long term Truce

and then Boom

[cali]

13. that's a poor comparison

it's really not like the U.S. pre-Iraq.

And I'm firmly against Israeli policies re Gaza and the WB

[GitRDun]

16. It works for me

Neocons blustering about the Palestinians. The legislature pre-authorizing war. War.

[GeorgeGist]

6. link[s] would be nice.

[lovuian]

8. Sorry I edited to put it up there

http://rt.com/news/israel-cabinet-approves-reservists-912/

[glacierbay]

9. Here you go.

http://rt.com/news/israel-cabinet-approves-reservists-912/

[lovuian]

12. Here is something to keep in mind about Egypt

it isn't just platitudes .....they are the supply line for the Hamas

from what I have read the Hamas has been restocked with heavier rockets

Egypt is very much involved this is a test for Egypt too....

[glacierbay]

14. Very true

what I meant was that I don't believe that Egypt will provide any troops, just material support.
I should have been more clear on that.
I just hope that cooler heads on both sides step back before this escalates beyond control, but I'm not holding my breath.

[bunnies]

15. All in an area 11 times smaller than the size of Rhode Island.

Lets see... 16,000 already mobilized + 75,000 more = 91,000 troops. Divide that by 139 sq. miles and we get 655 troops per mile. 655.
Or, if you prefer, one troop for every 18 people living in Gaza. sigh.