A couple very quick items, then I'm out the door. For many people, the big question about Rafah is "why?" Why are the Israelis so determined to press this attack, despite casualties?
The short answer is, weapon smuggling and arms manufacturing. Here's the official explanation from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The drawings and cross-sections are especially illuminating. I had no idea that the smuggling (and even having one's house demolished) was so lucrative, and the excerpted "Islam Online" interview with a smuggler was interesting. Thanks to reader Shirley-Anne for that tip.
Meanwhile, Dave at Israellycool fisks some of the distortions and outright lies that many media outlets are promoting uncritically, and adds a few thoughts of his own. Suffice to say that he's unimpressed with the performance of the media. As he should be.
UPDATE: Politburo Diktat has a very good area map, and more links.
Tactics not strategy. By all means confound the enemy but first decide who it is.
While Israel is in Gaza it must do what needs to be done. What I, and the majority of Israelis want is not to be there at all. Partner or no partner, the price is not worth paying.
What I wonder is this: why does the Israeli army seem to think it's ok to fire "warning shots" using missiles and tank rounds?
Gosh, Matt - maybe they should wait for them to get close enough to this combat zone to be within, say, rock(or grenade)-throwing distance first?
Nice range on those tank rounds and missiles - sorta outdoes what's possible with most rifles or rocks(grenades), and other stuff like that.