Hamas looks to Hezbollah's inspiration

[bridgit]

'DAMASCUS - The similarities between what is taking place in Gaza today, and what took place in Lebanon in 2006, are striking. Both wars were waged by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) against a small military group, seen as "heroes and resistance leaders" by the Arab world, labeled as "terrorists" by Israel and the United States.

In both wars, Israel resorted to unconditional force, devastating Lebanon in 2006 and Gaza in 2008, and it seems like this war - just like 2006 - will last longer than most people expect. It won't be that easy to eliminate Hamas from Gaza, however, because of its grassroots popularity, just like Israel was unable to destroy Hezbollah in Lebanon.'

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KA06Ak01.html

[PerfectSage]

1. Good read. I read that article this morning.

I suggest you read the MUJAHIDEEN BLEED-THROUGH, articles by Michael Scheuer who wrote Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JL25Ak01.html

Blowback's a bitch

[bridgit]

2. The 4pt series is a good read...

:thumbsup:

[Alamuti Lotus]

3. Some differences

Hizbu'llah had great terrain advantages that are completely lacking in Gaza, largely a mix of open fields and dense urban areas. The only commander I can think of to completely thrive in such a condition (dense urban warfare) as this was Shamil Basayev in Dzokhar (city formerly named after Tsar Ivan IV Groznyy) in '96.

Summary of the primarily succcessful tactics are as follows -- Let the enemy army enter the city and move around. The resistance is 'everywhere and nowhere', strikes seemingly at random and disappears before the invaders can realize what is happening. The enemy will complain loudly that your forces do not march out in formation in the open fields with clearly marked uniforms, but the British were angry at Benedict Arnold (the hero of Saratoga) when they were shot commanders from the saftey of trees and bushes as well. Maintain a constant campaign of attrition until the occupyer is completely spread out and disorientated. This ultimately leaves ground forces pinned down and unable to call in artillery or air support without a massacre of their own forces at the same time. The only choices left are to surrender or fight it out, and by this time the invader has already lost and their hand is forced to make deals.