What Bloggers Are Saying About Operation Summer Rains

Posted 2:30am Wednesday morning.

There are a number of blogs that are giving regular updates on the operation as it progresses. Among them are:

• Abba Gav
• Euphoric Reality
• Blogs of War
• Innocent Bystanders
• Israel Matzav
• Vital Perspective

Here is what they are saying...beyond the destruction of bridges and the electric generator.

Israel Matzav quotes Debka.com that the IDF does not really know where Shalit is being held and is trying to prevent his being moved out of Gaza--and may already have been moved out.

He also implies that a secondary consideration of the operation may be the Kassams:

IDF officials said a large military force was ready to enter the Gaza Strip Tuesday night, after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approved a 'limited ground incursion' in southern Gaza, aimed at the "terrorist infrastructure." The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. I would be surprised if this incursion is limited to 'southern Gaza.' Most of the Kassam fire - which has continued all week - actually comes from Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, which are further north.

Innocent Bystander reports:

JPost reports little resistance to IDF inside Gaza. They have taken secure positions around Dahaniya, which is about two miles from Kerem Shalom. IDF denies reports that they have entered Gaza in the north.

If there is a plan to deal with the Kassams in the north, the IDF is not giving any indication at this time. The extent of the operation is unclear.

He also points out the the Egyptian army that is stationed at Rafah could be serving a dual purpose--not only to prevent Shalit from being brought out of Gaza, but also to keep Palestinian refugees from entering Egypt.

Euphoric Reality notes the preparations the Palestinians are making for the Israelis, including the planting of roadside bombs.

In light of this, Abba Gav raises the possibility that in the aftermath of the operation, we may be subjected to Jenin II--accusations of Israeli attrocities, and lays out the scenario.

From Blogs of War it also seems the extent of the operation is unclear. He quotes CNN that:

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his parliament Tuesday to expect "an extended campaign against the Palestinian Authority" unless Shalit was released.

But he also quotes a headline from Haaretz (which doesn't seem to be there anymore): IDF official: PM Olmert approves `limited operation` in Gaza

At the end of his post he also provides links to a number of other bloggers covering the operation.

Vital Perspective also links to 2 sources that differ on the extent of the operation.

He also gives a taste of the kind of media coverage to expect:

Unfortunately, some in the press are already praising Hamas as peace-makers in the same breath used to scold them for the kidnapping. The praise comes as a result of the Hamas-Fatah agreement today, which some have hailed as a "breakthrough." That's false. As the media sang their praise, Hamas leaders said, "We said we accept a state (in territory occupied) in 1967 -- but we did not say we accept two states." Click here for a great rundown of the details

Finally, Israel At Ground Level provides some background in: Reporter's notebook of previous planned IDF Gaza operation

One question I have is--if the IDF cannot find Shalit or Asheri--and even if they do--what then? Under what conditions would Israel be willing to pull out of Gaza without returning to the status quo?

Update:

Jerusalem Post is reporting that the kidnapping is a sign of the tension within the Hamas leadership between Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Damascus-based Khaled Mashaal--and the attack that led to the kidnapping of Shalit was done under the instructions of Hamas in Syria. The Post claims the attack was intended to embarras Haniyeh. A number of blogs mentioned that Syria had taken extra steps to protect Mashaal, for obvious reasons.

Israel and Hamas and Palestinians and Operation Summer Rains.