Israel Hamas War -- News Updates For January 1, 2009

A Palestinian man placing an Islamic flag used by the militant group Hamas on the rubble of a destroyed mosque after an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Wednesday. (Khalil Hamra/The Associated Press)

Striking Deep Into Israel, Hamas Employs an Upgraded Rocket Arsenal -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — By firing rockets deep into Israeli territory, the militant Palestinian group Hamas has in recent days displayed an arsenal that has been upgraded with weapons parts smuggled into Gaza since it seized control of the territory 18 months ago, according to American and Israeli officials.

For Hamas, a group largely confined to a sliver of land along the Mediterranean Sea, attacking Israeli cities with a rocket barrage has proved an effective strategy to reduce the advantage of Israel’s expensive arsenal of fighter jets and warships.

That strategy was used successfully by Hezbollah militants against Israel in Lebanon in 2006, although Hezbollah had access to missiles and rockets far more sophisticated than those being used by Hamas. Israeli officials said that Hamas was still relying on unguided rockets, rather than guided weapons like the Iranian-made C-802 cruise missile that Hezbollah used against an Israeli ship during the summer of 2006.

Read more ....

More News On The israel Hamas War

Israel raids kill Hamas leader, take Gaza death toll past 400 -- Yahoo News/AFP
Despite poor weather, airstrikes continue; 398 killed, 2,000 injured -- Maan News Agency
Israeli warplanes continue strikes on Gaza, 390 killed -- China View
Israel demands monitors as part of a Gaza truce -- Yahoo News/AP
Gaza Violence Goes Into Sixth Day -- BBC News
Israel sends more troops to Gaza border -- Yahoo News/AP
Israeli planes strike government buildings in Gaza -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Hamas defiant as Israel rejects Gaza truce -- Yahoo News/AFP
Israel Rejects Cease-Fire, but Offers Gaza Aid -- New York Times
Israel Says No to Cease-Fire, Vows to Press Offensive -- Voice of America
Israel Rejects Proposal for 48-Hour Truce -- Washington Post
Israel Turns Aside Calls for Gaza Truce -- Los Angeles Times
Israel Rejects Truce as Rockets Rain Deeper -- The Times
Israel pursues diplomacy but presses attacks on Hamas -- International Herald Tribune
US Continues Diplomatic Push for Gaza Cease-Fire -- Voice of America
Hillary Clinton's First Test Likely in Gaza -- ABC News
Israel rejects ceasefire move as divisions emerge in leadership -- The Guardian
Has Israel Learned From the Hezbollah War? -- The Danger Room
Divisions Deep at Arab League Meeting -- New York Times
Israel's Attacks On Gaza Deepen Palestinian Rift -- Washington Post
Hamas has been hit by IAF's Gaza offensive like never before -- Haaretz
Hamas defiant as Israel rejects Gaza truce -- AFP
Hamas Fires Long-Range Chinese Rockets at Israel (Updated) -- The Danger Room
Rocket that hit Beersheba school made in China -- Ynet News
In Dense Gaza, Civilians Suffer -- New York Times
UN Official: Gaza Facing 'Life or Death' Situation -- Voice of America
Gaza Police Back on the Beat Amid Israeli Attacks -- Los Angeles Times

Commentary, Analysis, And Opinons

The Gaza Rules -- Victor Davis Hanson, RealClearPolitics
Israel Can't Bomb Its Way to Peace -- Los Angeles Times
The Bloody Nonsense of Gaza War -- Robert Fisk, The Independent
Has Israel Learned Its Lesson? -- Boston Globe
Why Israel Is Bombing Gaza -- Washington Post opinion
Hard Truths About the Conflict -- Washington Post opinion