Batchelor: Green Light Gaza: Armor Force Targets Rocket Sites (Update and Video)

John Batchelor, who is following the situation in Gaza very closely, writes this afternoon on his blog:

The Immediate IDF Challenge Is To Secure the Rocket Sites

Because the Hamas teams have kept their 220mm Katyushas until the eventuality of the ground action, and the Hamas rocket teams will have the shoot order now. Left a photo of a large secondary explosion in the north Gaza, perhaps a weapons cache or more likely a fuel dump. The 220mm Katyusha can reach Dimona and Tel Aviv.

We can expect air raid drills in Tel Aviv if and when Hamas gets off a barrage.

• Israeli troops move into Gaza Strip. First ground action of 8-day offensive

• Israeli ground forces enter Gaza in escalation

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli tanks and infantry entered Gaza after nightfall Saturday, launching a ground offensive that the military said would be a “lengthy operation” in a widening war on Gaza’s Hamas rulers.

• Israeli Troops Launch Attack on Gaza

The battle plan is for the Golani Brigade and the Para Brigade to clear the wire for the tank spearheads. It is dark another six to seven hours, and the IDF owns the night with night-vision goggles (right) and sites and UAVs. The big Hamas bunkers are likely in the southern Gaza. The same for the video of destroyed buildings and dead civilians. Speaking to my best sources soon, and we will have several reports from Jerusalem on Sunday 4. Last report was that the IDF is expecting Hamas to launch its longest range rockets. The Israeli Cabinet is reported to have approved an operation to destroy the Hamas military leadership. No update on the Egyptian military blocking at the border. See the first photo below from Haaretz of the IDF armor crossing the wire at dusk. The early reports are of ground fire and Hamas resistance. But mostly Hamas will be on the run into the population centers. The IDF must secure the northern rocket sites.

• Israel launches ground operation in Gaza Strip

IDF: Ground op aims to deal a direct, hard blow to Hamas while increasing Israel’s power of deterrence.

• Barak: Gaza invasion won’t be short, and it won’t be easy

Defense Minister: We don’t want war, but we can’t abandon Israeli citizens victimized by Hamas.

Update 1: “Israel Radio reports that the IDF has gained control over the rocket launch sites in northern Gaza and that ‘tens’ of ‘Palestinians’ have been wounded.

They played a tape of Hamas spokesman Mussa Abu Marzouk trying to encourage the ‘Palestinians’ from his safe house in Damascus.”

Fox News: Israeli Troops Moving Into Gaza, 01/03/09:

Update 2: Most recent video clips (1/3/09 17:00 ET):

MSNBC: Palestinian View of Israel Gaza Ground Invasion, 01/03/09:

Source unknown: Gaza, 01/03/09:

LiveLeak: IDF Artillery Targets Gaza, 01/03/09:

Israeli Attack on Rafah Border, 01/03/09: