Hamas committed acts of terrorism - DailyNews
Israel has frequently employed air power to defend its vital interests. Indeed, perhaps more than any other state in the post-World War… Israel has long relied on air power to protect its national security, particularly in the post-World War II era. The Israel Air Force (IAF) came into existence during the 1948-49 war and by 1956, the IAF had considered the role of air power in the IDF’s operational doctrine. The most successful counter air power campaign in recent history was the Israeli attack on Arab airfields in the 1967 war. The Israeli understanding of and reliance on more capable air power grew with every battle and operation. During Operation Desert Storm, the U.S. Air Force demonstrated that well-trained and equipped air forces could dominate most aspects of operations on the battlefield. The use of advanced anti-armour helicopters and advanced drones has also been noted. Israel's primary objective is to eliminate Hamas in a low conflict environment, but to do that will require ground troops in urban warfare. The evolution of battlefield air support has had a profound impact on the evolution of combat operations.
Pubblicato : 2 anni fa di Gayan Abeykoon in General
Israel has frequently employed air power to defend its vital interests. Indeed, perhaps more than any other state in the post-World War II era, it has relied on air power to protect its national security. The Israel Air Force (IAF) came into existence during the 1948-49 war. By 1956, the IAF itself had thought about the role of air power in the IDF’s operational doctrine. In the Six-Day War, the IAF quickly secured air superiority over the battlefield via a devastating opening strike against Arab Air Forces. Israel’s large fleet of advanced anti-armour helicopters would be able to provide effective around-the-clock close air support to IDF ground forces. The Israeli understanding of and reliance on more capable air power grew with every battle and operation. Hamas is a non-state actor with zero aircraft.
Basic air doctrine deals with the phenomenon of flight. The British definition of air and space power, which is reflected in UK military Joint Doctrine publications, is, ‘The ability to project power from the air and space to influence the behaviour of people or the course of events. Rightly, space is regarded as a crucial domain, in addition to land, sea and air. Aircraft can effectively attack many targets simultaneously.
Precision has a plethora of meanings to modern war fighters: precision in employment of the military instrument, information, technology, in planning, in timing, in communication, location, in stealth targeting, in weapons employment and in execution. The most successful counter air power campaign in recent history of air power was the Israeli attack on Arab airfields in the 1967 war when 415 aircraft were destroyed by the second day and 19 airfields put out of action on the very first day.
Enemies have blatantly used civilians as human shields, including families and children, in an attempt to affect the will of the democratic populace and leaders, deterring them from acting. Between the first and second Gulf wars, America used airpower to occupy terrain in enforcement of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. When a provocation occurred, the coalition—mostly America and Britain responded with a token demonstration of force—sometimes via cruise missiles, sometimes via fixed-wing aircraft. Another dimension in the application of air power at both the strategic and tactical levels is the concept of mobility.
In 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, the U.S. Air Force demonstrated that well-trained and well-equipped air forces could dominate most aspects of operations on the modern battlefield. Within a few days of the commencement of combat operations, coalition forces were able to gain the freedom to operate with near impunity over enemy territory while denying the enemy the ability to operate.
Terrorist groups can employ unguided rockets, missiles, and perhaps even inexpensive drones because fighter or bomber aircraft are just too complex and expensive to operate. With these imprecise terror weapons, they may produce effects similar to those of traditional manned airborne platforms. The American Patriot missile defense system and the Israeli Iron Dome, as well as the several strategic antiballistic missile systems are purely defensive means of countering similar threats. In probably the most widely noted air strike connected with the September 11 attacks, an armed U.S. ‘Predator’ drone killed Mohammad Atef, the number three leader of Al Qaeda.
Can the IDF strike with their drones in this manner? In early 2004, Israeli helicopters fired missiles and killed two major leaders of Hamas. Israel used air power to significant effect in its July 1976 operation to free over 100 civilians (passengers aboard Air France flight 139 from Athens to Paris, originating in Tel Aviv) hijacked and held hostage at Entebbe air field in Uganda. The essential ingredient of the successful Israeli rescue force was the C-130 ‘Hercules,’ which carried the raiding party and its equipment, including jeeps and troop carriers. They flew 2,500 miles from Israel to the Entebbe airfield.
Employment of air power in coordination with friendly surface forces to deter, contain or defeat the enemy’s land or maritime forces has evolved as a dominant role. The operations include interdiction, battlefield air strike (formerly close air support), tactical reconnaissance, maritime air operations and joint operations in the low intensity conflict environment. The aim is to deprive an enemy of his military power needed to occupy territory.
Development of the attack helicopter, quick reaction missile, especially the shoulder-launched Stinger variety, the remotely piloted vehicle and the precision guided cruise missile have had a profound impact on the evolution and employment of battlefield air support. Over the past week, Israel has amassed armour and tens of thousands of troops around the Gaza Strip and called up 360,000 reservists, appearing to prepare for an offensive targeting Hamas. Israel’s stated objective is to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, but to do that will require ground troops in extended urban warfare. Fighting in a built-up area is the most difficult of all combat operations and Gaza is uniquely dense. Hamas has had years to put an elaborate tunnel system into place, which would make it difficult.
In order to clear buildings, basements and the extensive network of tunnels they will have to dismount their infantry and essentially fight block-by-block. If the Israelis roll into the Gaza Strip with a mechanized infantry force along with air support from attack helicopters, a fierce form of urban warfare will break out on the narrow streets.
With the technological development of Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs), stealth technology, and satellite-aided navigation, aerial bombardment has become more precise than ever before. The experience of WWII led to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, of which Convention IV dealt specifically with the protection of civilians in time of war. Ratified by the US and most countries of the world, Section I, Article 147 of the Convention requires prosecution of those who commit the following ‘grave breaches’ against civilians in time of war.
As World War II went on, Britain and the United States followed the German lead in attacking from the air the industrial areas, power stations, railway centres, and other essential services, and accepting the certainty of a considerable number of civilian casualties. To close some of these and other loopholes related to protection of victims of international armed conflicts, the International Committee of the Red Cross submitted Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions to the international community in 1977. Protocol I requires that ‘all feasible precautions’ be taken to avoid and minimize civilian casualties and that advance warning shall be given of attacks which may affect the civilian population, circumstances permitting. Airpower is offensive in nature. A study of the ethics of bombing cannot fail to remind one that man is more swayed by emotion than by calm reason.
Another major question is to what to attribute the success of any given anti-terrorist air operation. The success of air strikes on terrorist leaders and groups appears to depend, in large measure, on the development and swift action on precise intelligence on the location and movements of these individuals.
Israel has made a difficult demand on the people living in Gaza. How can one million people of all ages vacate an area? Where do they go to? A UN staff member was seen on BBC saying they can’t find vehicles and fuel for such a big logistics movement.
The IDF Special Forces must attack verified Hamas targets, in built up areas but it is a slow process. The IAF is a professional air force, with a successful record. Air strikes are not the best option for Israel at this stage. They need to put boots on the ground using armour and mechanized forces. Israel’s right to self-defence must unfold in the manner befitting a sovereign nation. Hamas on the other hand is hiding among civilian buildings. They committed acts of terrorism. Israel must be patient and strike with precision, which is a massive challenge. Diplomatic dialogue and UN facilitated negotiations are the lasting answer leading to peace.
Temi: Crime, Terrorism