Adjustment.

This is coolbert:

A done deal? Light at the end of the tunnel?

The devil as usual is in the details

Cease fire and hostage/prisoner exchange the Gazan War.

In chronological order:

1. "Report details Israel’s deal proposal, including ‘permanent’ cessation of hostilities before all hostages return"

By MICHAEL BACHNER 10 June 2024

"Channel 12 news publishes extensive details of what it says is Israel’s May 27 proposed hostage and ceasefire deal to Hamas, without citing sources or saying how it obtained it."

2. "Israel says it’s studying latest Hamas response to Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal"

From Times of Israel | By JACOB MAGID and TOI STAFF 3 July 2024.

"Senior Israeli official says terror group’s updated proposal gives more room for a possible agreement but stresses gaps still significant, suggests Netanyahu’s office harming talks"

3. "Israel sends delegation to renewed hostage-truce talks in Doha on Hamas proposal"

From https://www.timesofisrael.com | By LAZAR BERMAN and TOI STAFF | 4 July 2024.

"In phone call, Biden tells Netanyahu he welcomes the ‘effort to close out the deal’; Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly heading up team departing for Doha"

4. "U.S. sees major breakthrough in Israel-Hamas talks, senior administration official says"

From Reuters through Ha'aretz | 4 July 2024. 

"Hamas made a significant adjustment in its position over a potential hostage release deal with Israel, a senior U.S. administration official said on Thursday, expressing hope that it would lead to a pact that would be a step to a permanent cease-fire."

Three-stage plan to end the Gazan War with a cessation of hostilities, exchange of hostages/prisoners AND a total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

I would fully expect this to be considered as a loss for the Israeli side. Hamas not eliminated but active, alive and well able to reconstitute AND even as we speak reconstituting!

coolbert.

Reconstitution.

This is coolbert:

Already it has begun? Hamas reconstitutes itself. 

See previous blog entry Hamas has planned this all from the start in anticipation of massive Israeli attack following events of 7 October. Remaining and still alive Hamas surviving cadres probably having more potential recruits than they can possibly ever accommodate.

 "Hamas to recruit Gazan youths in Khan Yunis comeback"

"Hamas is now holding new training camps for its new recruits to replace the 14,000-16,000 of its fighters who the IDF has killed, The Post confirmed."

https://www.jpost.com | By YONAH JEREMY BOB | JUNE 23, 2024. 

"Hamas is making a comeback to regain control of Khan Yunis as well as recruiting new fighters from young adolescents in the 18-year-old range both in southern and northern Gaza."

"The trend has continued since the IDF withdrew from Khan Yunis on April 7. Still, Army Radio reported on Sunday, and the Jerusalem Post confirmed with multiple sources that the Hamas comeback trend in Khan Yunis could be crossing crucial thresholds."

Gonna a long time before Hamas replaces their combat units with well trained and proficient personnel. Numbers of recruits not going to be a problem. Having a credible force able to confront the Israeli on the battlefield a different matter altogether.

coolbert.

 

Participants.

This is coolbert: 

From the rubble will rise the Phoenix? Hamas will survive and thrive?

"The concept of the Phoenix . . . is inspired by the mythical bird that rises from its own ashes, symbolizing renewal and rebirth." [AI generated]

"Two Hamas battalions not participating in fighting"

"Report: Two Hamas battalions not participating in fighting"

From Israel National News | Jun 18, 2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/y9m2eemz

"Hamas assigned a significant force that is not participating in the war, with the intention of creating a governing force in Gaza after the war."

"Sources in Gaza say that Hamas was prepared for the Israeli plan to disband all battalions of its military arm and therefore prepared its own plan, which is based on two battalions that will be a governing force in Gaza after the war, Kan News reported."

"According to the report, one battalion in Deir al-Balah and one in Khan Yunis were instructed not to participate in the fighting, as much as possible, to maintain their abilities to be a reserve force for future security control over Gaza."

Cadre elements as the nucleus of a renewed and re-energized Hamas biding their time. I can conceive that a whole lot of Gazan residents will rally to the cause too!

"It isn't over until it is over."

coolbert.

Non-starter.

This is coolbert: 

"His comments, in a rare statement published on the Sabbath and only in English"

Netanyahu speaks! On the Sabbath and ONLY in English!

Stress here for emphasis on Sabbath and English!

See prior blog entry. No tweaking needed!  https://tinyurl.com/3bt3ck8f

"‘Non-starter’: Netanyahu says no permanent Gaza ceasefire until Hamas destroyed"

By TOI STAFF, JACOB MAGID FOLLOW and AGENCIES | 1 June 2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/28949fvh

"Lapid urges PM to accept deal outlined by Biden; promises safety net if far-right ministers bolt; hostage families say this could be last chance; Blinken briefs Saudis, UAE, Turks"

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday there would be no 'permanent ceasefire' in Gaza until Hamas’s military and governing capabilities were destroyed".

PRESIDENT BIDEN YOU ARE BEING SPOKEN TO AND MOST DIRECTLY.

And in ENGLISH!

coolbert.

Tweak.

This is coolbert:

 "the deal as was published today - means the end of the war and giving up on eliminating Hamas. This is a reckless deal, which constitutes a victory for terrorism and a security threat to the State of Israel. Agreeing to such a deal is not the absolute victory - but rather the absolute defeat. We will not allow for the war to end without the complete elimination of Hamas." - Ben Gvir.

Indeed. Israeli acceptance of the 3-part plan will constitute a defeat for Israel. Goals of the military campaign as stated by Prime Minister Netanyahu not achieved.

1. "Senior Netanyahu adviser: Israel okayed Biden-touted hostage deal, but work needed"

From https://www.timesofisrael.com | By TOI STAFF and LAZAR BERMAN |  https://tinyurl.com/wz9k49x9

"Ophir Falk tells UK’s Sunday Times there will be no permanent ceasefire until Hamas is destroyed; President Herzog tells PM he will back him on hostage release proposal"

2. "President Herzog: 'I will back government in prisoner exchange deal'"

From https://www.israelnationalnews.com/ | Hezki Baruch | Jun 2, 2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/a3kh77ym

"Israeli President Herzog commented on the proposal presented by US President Biden to release hostages: 'It is imperative to bring them home as part of a deal that maintains the security interests of the State of Israel.'"

Hamas will be able to proclaim victory and with a DEGREE of justification. Lot of damage to Hamas fighting units but still the ruling faction will remain in power and BE ABLE to reconstitute themselves. Still will present a threat in the future! Hamas HAS survived.

You can well bet that going to be a lot of controversy over the exchange of hostages. How many taken in totality, how many dead, where are the remains, etc.

And very large numbers of Hamas operatives and fighters to also be repatriated. Many thousands I suspect. All will return to Gaza and celebrated as heroes.

All negotiations of course subject to tweaking!

"tweak: to make usually small adjustments in or to; especially : fine-tune"

coolbert.

Range 68.

This is coolbert:

“'For the last two decades, what we see is that this tactic has indeed become more popular with non-state actors,' . . . 'It is spreading as a global security threat, from theater to theater'.” - Richemond-Barak.

"The Army has stepped up its training for tunnel warfare, a dangerous — and growing — form of combat"

WUNC | By Jay Price | May 14, 2024. 

"After seven months of war in Gaza, Israel has still probed little of what's believed to be hundreds of miles of tunnels — an underground network that Hamas uses for refuge, to hide hostages, to move around undetected — and to pop out unexpectedly and fight."

"Tunnel warfare is becoming a common tactic on modern battlefields, and it's one of most dangerous forms of combat, especially for the attackers."

"That is why groups like Hamas, ISIS, Hezbollah, and al-Qaeda have built underground facilities, seeking to blunt the advantages of the militaries hunting them"

"Geopolitical foes of the United States, such as China, North Korea, Iran and Russia, also are pushing more of their military and nuclear facilities underground, prompting the U.S. to increase its focus on tunnel warfare."

Fort Liberty [Bragg] Range 68 the tunnel constructed to train American troops for future military operations against a determined enemy occupying the "low-ground". No claustrophobic persons apply.

See merely with regard to the Gazan War previous blog entries the tunnels of Gaza: 

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/12/seawater_20.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/12/seawater.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/11/sponge.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/11/underground.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/11/labyrinth.html

coolbert.

Harba Darbu.

This is coolbert:

From a source that will go unnamed for all eternity.

Israeli rap song # 1 on the charts. Musical response to the Gazan War. If you are so bold to refer to rap as music.

“'Harbu Darbu' is a rap song in Hebrew written in the wake of October 7th that reached No. 1 on the Israeli charts. A rough translation of the opening:

"A bunch of fucker rats getting out of the tunnel

Acting like thugs you idiots I swear there will be no forgiveness

Who do you think you’re coming here to yell 'Palestine for free' at?!

Ptui, you sons of Amalek!

Hop, Bomb Squad!

Left right left, how the whole country is in uniform from the Galilee to Eilat

Fighters, Duvdevan and Magav, Qaraqal, Bardelas

We’ve brought the whole army and I swear there will be no forgiveness

(Mekha)bella Hadid, Dua Lipa, Mia Khalifa

Every dog gets what he deserves in the end

All IDF units are coming to do Harbu Darbu on their head"

Need I make comments or further elucidation? I think not.

coolbert.

AFTER.

 

This is coolbert

The day AFTER in wartime usually referring to plans formulated and to be implemented with a cessation of hostilities. Grand strategy as normally understood.

Combat action Gaza once again hot-and-heavy. Area of the northern part of the Gaza Strip as previously declared "secure" by the Israel army seemingly not so!

"As defense chiefs confront Netanyahu over Gaza's 'day after,' three IDF divisions back in Gaza"

"The IDF said it had attacked over 150 targets on Saturday-Sunday, including using a wide range of air and artillery power, a heavy increase in the use of more destructive Israeli war machines."

From https://www.jpost.com | By YONAH JEREMY BOB, JERUSALEM POST STAFF | MAY 12, 2024.

[. . . . ]

"While the high point of the invasion in October-November had five divisions in Gaza, there was only one division, the 162nd, still there by April 7, and even that division was no longer at full strength."

"Total strength at this exact juncture three DIVISIONAL sized elements FULL strength."

"This means that the IDF is about halfway back to its full strength point in Gaza earlier in the war and signals the failure to prevent Hamas from quickly returning to power after seven months of war"

ETERNAL insurgency! The insurgent wins by outlasting the opponent. I imagine those Hamas personnel surviving deep underground in the tunnels and hardened bunkers waiting for that moment to emerge and create a lot of aggravation of the IDF. And ARE doing so.

From a comment to the article:

xx9100

"I don't understand this war. Israel takes land, clear it out and leaves. Hamas moves back in. Israel returns and clears again. Rinse and repeat. 

Normally when the army takes land they stay there until the war is completely over. What game is at play"

From my perspective that as experience of the American army during the Second Indo-China War.

coolbert.

Refusal.

This is coolbert:

Hot off the presses. Rafah here we come. Ready or not. The Israeli moves south.

Apparently negotiations for a cease fire the Gazan War have failed. No trading prisoners for hostages and no cessation to mortal combat.

"Hamas' hostage deal refusal paves way for Rafah offensive"

"Opinion: Breakdown of negotiations in Cairo, coupled with deadly rocket attacks that claimed IDF soldiers' lives, points unmistakably to a single course of action: the IDF must act swiftly in Rafah; The objective is clear – neutralize the terror forces stationed there to ensure the safety of the Negev's residents and secure release of the hostages"

https://www.ynetnews.com | Ron Ben-Yishai |

"The negotiations in Cairo concerning the hostages concluded without Hamas accepting the Israeli-American outline for a deal, and Sunday's rocket and mortar fire from Rafah into Israeli territory  killed three IDF soldiers.  This can lead to only one decision: The IDF should begin an operation in Rafah immediately."

I guess you can reasonably suggest was any of this negotiation done seriously and in good faith? Seriously I have my doubts.

coolbert.

DEFEAT.

This is coolbert:

Hot off the presses. If this be true consider it a SEVERE defeat for the Israeli.

Cease fire, prisoner and hostage swap, and end to hostilities. To the DISADVANTAGE of the Israeli.

"Hamas agreed to Egyptian ceasefire proposal"

"Report: Hamas agreed to Egyptian ceasefire proposal"

From https://www.israelnationalnews.com | Dalit Halevi | May 4, 2024.

"Asharq Al-Awsat [an Arabic international newspaper headquartered in London] claims Israel removed opposition to releasing certain terrorists, US guaranteed full withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war."

"Al Jazeera has reported that a Qatari delegation left for Cairo to participate in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, following reports of progress in the talks for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal."

"According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Hamas agreed to the deal after Israel removed its opposition to releasing a number of senior terrorists from prison, and following a commitment from the US that it would ensure Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza at the end of the second and last stage of the agreement, as well as the full cessation of the war."

The IRREVOCABLE and COMPLETE obliteration of Hamas, a stated aim of Prime Minister Netanyahu will not be achieved. Hamas will live to fight another day.

Prisoners of the Israeli to include Hamas top leadership and operatives many of whom can be reasonably inferred to have participated in atrocity of 7 October to be released.

From the Israeli perspective NONE of this sounds any good!

coolbert.

Nukhba.

This is coolbert:

Elite Hamas head-knocker cut-throat ranger/commando special operations unit, spearhead of the attack of 7 October.

"The Nazis had the SS, Hamas has the Nukhba: Sinwar's diabolical unit"

From https://www.ynetnews.com | Dr. Michael Milstein.

"Analysis: On October 7, the Nukhba unit, Sinwar's elite, had 5,000 skilled zealots and about 1,500 of them were killed since; Just like the Nazi SS, the young members are carefully chosen based on their loyalty to the leader and ideological commitment"

And probably subjected to endless mind-numbing political indoctrination. Why we fight and must continue to fight sort of stuff.

"The Nukhba members are equipped with high-quality weapons, undergo rigorous training, including prolonged stays in tunnels without food and water, and receive unique training such as paragliding courses (in Malaysia) or sabotage and intelligence (in Iran). Nukhba members are meticulously selected and receive higher pay than other members of Hamas' military personnel ($400-500 per month)." 

From an article at https://www.jewishpress.com Nukhba described as:

"The Nukhba Force or Al-Nukhba are naval commandos and a special forces unit of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas."

Naval commando unit analogous to American SEAL contingents.

coolbert.

Mimicry II.

This is coolbert:

To war with dolls. To war with children's backpacks. To war with dolls that cry and mimic Israeli hostages.

A topic as absolutely germane and as alluded to in a most recent blog entry.

"Hamas rigs children's backpacks, dolls, in ambush on IDF forces in Gaza"

"The explosive-laden children's items contained speakers that played crying noises in an attempt to lure in and kill soldiers, the IDF reported."

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF | DECEMBER 15, 2023.

"IDF documentation of dolls and children's backpacks that had been rigged with speakers and explosives to lure in IDF troops." 

"The IDF located and exposed a Hamas terrorist ambush at the entrance to a tunnel shaft, using dolls and children's backpacks in an attempt to lure soldiers in hopes of finding hostages, the Israeli military said Friday."

"The items, which contained speakers playing crying sounds, were placed near a tunnel shaft which connects to a large network of tunnels that extends over a school and a medical facility in the Gaza Strip, the IDF said."

Mimicry of this type a legitimate ruse of war I strongly suspect. Walk into an ambush in ill-considered haste but with good intentions.

coolbert.

Pullback.

This is coolbert:

Evolving/preparation/withdrawing! 

Here from various Israeli media web sites the perspective what seems to be an apparent military pullback of combat elements the Gazan War.

1. "In an ever-evolving strategy in Gaza, the IDF pullback is a smart move"

From https://www.ynetnews.com | Ron Ben-Yishai | 04.07.24.

"Analysis: Israeli forces left Khan Younis, but the IDF remains an hour away from any operational location, and tactical maneuvering in Gaza will continue, with surprise raids as seen in Al Shifa; Instead of remaining static targets in the field, soldiers will adopt a more dynamic stance, also allowing refugees to leave Rafah"

2. "Gallant: IDF withdrawal from Khan Yunis in preparation for Rafah operation"

From https://www.jpost.com By JERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS APRIL 7, 2024 19:20

"As reports emerge of the IDF's withdrawal from Khan Yunis to prepare for a Rafah operation, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tours the IDF's Southern Command, saying that IDF preparing for next stage."

3. "Haaretz Today | Netanyahu Talks of 'Total Victory.' So Why Is the IDF Withdrawing From Southern Gaza?"

 From https://www.haaretz.com | Anshel Pfeffer | Apr 7, 2024. 

"The IDF is pulling out from southern Gaza exactly six months after the Hamas assault on Israel, but Netanyahu is in no hurry to end the war"

That general consensus and perception is that this troop movement is not a response to American or international pressure? The proud Israeli does not want to admit have given into foreign imposed constraints and influence?

coolbert.

Hamas II.

This is coolbert:

Everyone should be surprise by this? I for one was!

No further Israeli attack on the southern part of the Gaza Strip? Hamas fighting units will be able to re-constitute themselves in some manner. 

From the Israeli stand-point this means accepting half-a-loaf rather than the full loaf?

"IDF ends active ground invasion, completely withdraws from southern Gaza"

From The Jerusalem Post ^ | April 7: 2024 | By YONAH JEREMY BOB. The tip from Freeper.

"The IDF on Sunday announced that it had concluded the active invasion stage of the war for now while leaving open the possibility of a future new invasion of Rafah in deep southern Gaza. Although a top IDF official said that this change had nothing to do with US pressure, the timing was unmistakable in coming right after the IDF’s disastrous mistaken killing of seven humanitarian aid workers last week. Critically, this means that Palestinians can, on one hand, move freely within southern Gaza and Khan Yunis and that there is a complete vacuum for preventing a return of Hamas..."

Comments:

* It would seem the promised full and complete destruction of Hamas will NOT be achieved.

* Israeli hostages will remain in captivity for a more or less indefinite time unless this withdrawal is part of some sort of package deal!

* Politically this will mean the end of the career of Benjamin Netanyahu?

Obviously this is a story not yet confirmed or denied as they say. A negative for the Israeli? I might think so.

coolbert.

Al-Shifa.

This is coolbert:

Something not right here!

Read from the wiki the first siege of Al-Shifa.

Read from the wiki the second siege of Al-Shifa.

Al-Shifa hospital Gaza City now obliterated. A second siege and battle with Hamas fighters the hospital now a destroyed hulk of a building.

Israeli ground forces Gaza City having since November declared the region cleared of Hamas fighters, mission accomplished, resistance nil, the area secured and pacified.

Mission however not so accomplished, resistance not so nil, the area not so cleared and secured/pacified after all.

"This is how Israel's 'Navy SEALs' took over al Shifa Hospital"

"Now, top officers do not even refer to Shifa as 'Shifa Hospital' but as 'the Shifa compound' to reflect their belief that it was more a command center than an abused hospital."

From https://www.jpost.com | By YONAH JEREMY BOB | APRIL 1, 2024.

Click on image to see an enlarged view. A Doonesbury cartoon from 1982 [the Siege of Beirut]. All thanks to Garry Trudeau. How so very but sadly apropos to the Al-Shifa siege [1 & 2] over forty years later.

"The IDF on Monday successfully withdrew from Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, after an intense two-week battle. The operation to take control of it from over a thousand terrorists was successful partly due to the direct participation of the Shayetet 13 special forces unit."

A thousand or so Hamas combatants present for the battle # 2! That is a considerable number to have survived the immense Israeli aerial bombardment and initial ground assault escaping hale/hearty/whole to fight again another day.

coolbert.

Shaldag.

This is coolbert:

The death of this Israeli field grade officer the Gazan War surely an indication that the Israeli Air Force [IAF] special operations ranger/commando type unit Shaldag active the Gaza Strip.

Shaldag providing target acquisition and terminal guidance for the IAF precision munitions pinpoint accuracy.

IAF sustained aerial bombardment the Gazan War greatly facilitated by the efforts of Shaldag.

"IDF says reservist commando officer killed in Gaza, raising ground op toll to 224"

"Ground operation continues to be centered around Khan Younis in south, including intelligence gathering, while reports indicate stepped up Israeli airstrikes in north’s Gaza City"

From https://www.timesofisrael.com | By EMANUEL FABIAN and AGENCIES | 31 January 2024.

"As battles in Gaza continued to be centered in the southern part of the Strip on Wednesday, the IDF announced the death of a reservist killed during renewed fighting in the north."

"He was named as Maj. (res.) Yitzhar Hofman, 36, a commander in the Israeli Air Force’s elite Shaldag unit, from Eshhar. His death brings the toll of slain troops in the ground offensive against Hamas to 224"

Devoted readers to the blog will want to watch these two video precision bombing of high-rise buildings Gaza Strip. Courtesy these two videos from an Internet website the unspeakable name of which will not be mentioned. Munitions of the JDAM or Paveway type striking not the building proper but rather at the very foundation with absolute preciseness. Foundation damaged, bringing the entire above structure toppling down on itself. 

Pinpoint precise terminal guidance of these JDAM bombs extraordinary. Accuracy as accomplished by military grade + GPS this I would highly suspect so to be the case.

Commercial grade GPS accurate down to about 100 meters accuracy. Military grade accuracy about several meters. Additional accuracy down to the centimeter level can will achieved by installing an electronic apparatus at a surveyed point providing correction with additional accuracy to the GPS military grade accuracy.

Electronic apparatus as with the RTK type presumably as placed on a surveyed location by personnel of a Shaldag unit.

See this Internet web site article a very well done accurate analysis of JDAM munitions! This of the year 2014. Very informative!

coolbert.

Valid/Invalid.

This is coolbert:

#1 The Russo-Ukrainian War I refer to as the Ukraine Conflict.

#2 Hamas-Israel War. From this moment forward, I will refer to as the Gazan War.

Thanks here from the www.dupuyinstitute.org several articles by Christopher A. Lawrence, casualty figures both wars, estimates/guesstimates based upon assumptions that you can assume are partially valid/invalid.

1. "The Russo-Ukrainian War – Day 699"

 From https://www.dupuyinstitute.org | Christopher A. Lawrence | 23 January 2024.

"Assuming a 4-to-1 wounded-to-killed ratio (which is an assumption, it could be higher, it is probably not much lower), then:

* Russian: 84,568 killed and 338,272 wounded.

* Ukraine: 63,426 killed and 253,704 wounded."

See previous blog entry based upon United Kingdom estimates/guesstimates total casualties, the Russian side, Ukraine conflict about 500,000 casualties total and about 100,000 dead, very close as to what the estimate/guesstimates valid or invalid based upon the assumptions of Stephen Lawrence.

2. "Losses in the Hamas-Israel War – Day 111"

From https://www.dupuyinstitute.org | Christopher A. Lawrence | 25 January 2024.

* "Total losses for the Israeli armed forces during the offensive into Gaza is 219 (as of 22 January)."

This figure only for Israeli ground forces in the aftermath of events has transpired, seven October 2023.

* "Hamas’ actual losses are harder to gauge. Israel is claiming that they have killed about 9,000 Hamas fighters in Gaza along with more than 1,000 killed during the attacks on 7 October."

Going to be very hard for the Israeli to calculate the number of Hamas dead with any sort of real accuracy. I might  suppose many Hamas fighters buried under rubble will never be exhumed or uncovered. Many Hamas fighters also buried alive in collapsed underground tunnels as a result of aerial bombardment direct hits. Israeli figures predominantly estimate/guesstimate? 

* "Israel is estimating that as many at 16,000 Hamas have been wounded. The U.S. estimates between 10,500 to 11,700 wounded. This produces some unusually low wounded-to-killed ratios."

Yes, indeed, that wounded to kill ratio very unusually low! Normally that ratio quite correctly and reasonably is usually calculated at 4 to 1. Maybe 3 to 1 furthermore quite ballpark.

See additionally the CV curriculum vitae of Trevor Depuy. A very distinguished American military officer of the Second World War not even having reached the age of 30 years he had already commanded American and allied combat units of considerable size and did so in a very respectable and honorable manner. I cannot but help to be impressed.

"Dupuy attended West Point, graduating in the class of 1938. During World War II he commanded a U.S. Army artillery battalion, a Chinese artillery group, and an artillery detachment from the British 36th Infantry Division."

coolbert.

2-Month.

This is coolbert:

I’ll believe it when I see it!

As offered by the Israeli a two-month truce to the Gaza War with terms & conditions!

The Israeli already denying this proposal!

"Israel Offers Substantial 2-Month Gaza Ceasefire For Release Of All Hostages"

From https://www.zerohedge.com | BY TYLER DURDEN | JAN 22, 2024.            

"In a huge and surprise development, Israel has made a substantial proposal for a new ceasefire deal that includes multiple phases at the end of which all remaining hostages held in Gaza would be released. The negotiations front has been quiet and considered to be a failure for the past couple months, leading to general pessimism that Israel had a new proposal in the works. At the same time the Red Sea crisis and damage to global shipping through the vital transit waterway has reached a boiling point."

As to terms and conditions for a two-month truce devoted readers to the blog will just have to read the entire article for themselves!

See previous blog entry the 20-day truce that never materialized!

coolbert.

Vilnai.

This is coolbert: 

"Shoah is the Hebrew word for 'catastrophe'.  This term specifically means the killing of nearly six million Jews in Europe by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during the Second World War. English-speaking countries more commonly use the word Holocaust, which is Greek for 'sacrifice by fire'."

The Israeli military has only a few days ago announced that during the sustained three month aerial bombardment of Gaza they have now dropped 65,000 tons of bombs on Gaza. Need a tell anyone that is equal to 3+ Nagasaki bombs as dropped during World War II. 

Within context of the aerial bombardment 2023 consider these pronouncements of a senior Israeli official during the anti-Hamas Cast Lead campaign 2008.

1. "Israeli minister warns Palestinians of 'holocaust'"

From https://www.ynetnews.com  | Published:  02.29.08.

"By stepping up Qassam rocket attacks on Israel 'Palestinians will bring upon themselves a bigger holocaust because we will use all our might to defend ourselves,' says Deputy Defense Minister [Matan] Vilnai says. Hamas in response: We are facing new Nazis"

2. "Israeli minister vows Palestinian 'holocaust'"

From https://www.telegraph.co.uk  | By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem  | 29 February 2008.

"A senior Israeli politician [Matan Vilnai] provoked controversy today when he warned that Palestinians firing rockets from Gaza would be punished with a 'bigger holocaust' from Israeli armed forces..."

What was in the mind of General Valnai in 2008 has now come to fruition in 2023?

"Emotion clouds reason" - Michael Corleone - The Godfather.

coolbert.

F-7 DPRK.

This is coolbert:

North Korea, the Gaza War? North Korea, DPRK, the Gaza war?

War munitions North Korea DPRK as obtaining and being used by Hamas fighters?

"Hamas using North Korean weapons – Seoul"

From https://www.rt.com/news/

"South Korean intelligence agents claim the Palestinian militants have sourced rocket-propelled grenades from Pyongyang"

"Hamas using North Korean weapons – Seoul"

"South Korean [ROK] spies have accused North Korea [DPRK] of providing weapons to Hamas, but claim that supporting evidence is 'difficult to provide.' The US has made similar accusations before, which Pyongyang denies."

"Seoul's main spy agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), released a photograph on Monday of a North Korean F-7 rocket-propelled grenade, purportedly used by Hamas in its war against Israel. The agency also claimed that a picture of an F-7 rocket shared last week by US state news outlet Voice of America was genuine."

This F7, RPG, rocket propelled grenade, does not seem to be the same as the Yasin Hamas rocket propelled grenade knock-off. Nonetheless, the F-7 weapon is of North Korean origin. North Korea is often described as being one of the axis of evil  an immoral purveyor of weapons for the entire world. Yes, indeed it is so!

See various entries, the F7 and Yassin RPG rocket propelled grenade:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasin_(RPG)

https://www.arabnews.com/tags/f-7-rocket-propelled-grenade

https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/rockets/85mm-f-7-rocket

coolbert.