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Thu., January 15, 2009 Tevet 19, 5769

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Last update - 16:39 31/12/2008

Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about

By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent

Tags: Hamas, Israel, Gaza

Long-term preparation, careful gathering of information, secret discussions, operational deception and the misleading of the public - all these stood behind the Israel Defense Forces "Cast Lead" operation against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, which began Saturday morning.

The disinformation effort, according to defense officials, took Hamas by surprise and served to significantly increase the number of its casualties in the strike.

Sources in the defense establishment said Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for the operation over six months ago, even as Israel was beginning to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. According to the sources, Barak maintained that although the lull would allow Hamas to prepare for a showdown with Israel, the Israeli army needed time to prepare, as well.

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Barak gave orders to carry out a comprehensive intelligence-gathering drive which sought to map out Hamas' security infrastructure, along with that of other militant organizations operating in the Strip.

This intelligence-gathering effort brought back information about permanent bases, weapon silos, training camps, the homes of senior officials and coordinates for other facilities.

The plan of action that was implemented in Operation Cast Lead remained only a blueprint until a month ago, when tensions soared after the IDF carried out an incursion into Gaza during the ceasefire to take out a tunnel which the army said was intended to facilitate an attack by Palestinian militants on IDF troops.

On November 19, following dozens of Qassam rockets and mortar rounds which exploded on Israeli soil, the plan was brought for Barak's final approval. Last Thursday, on December 18, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the defense minister met at IDF headquarters in central Tel Aviv to approve the operation.

However, they decided to put the mission on hold to see whether Hamas would hold its fire after the expiration of the ceasefire. They therefore put off bringing the plan for the cabinet's approval, but they did inform Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of the developments.

That night, in speaking to the media, sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau said that "if the shooting from Gaza continues, the showdown with Hamas would be inevitable." On the weekend, several ministers in Olmert's cabinet inveighed against him and against Barak for not retaliating for Hamas' Qassam launches.

"This chatter would have made Entebe or the Six Day War impossible," Barak said in responding to the accusations. The cabinet was eventually convened on Wednesday, but the Prime Minister's Bureau misinformed the media in stating the discussion would revolve around global jihad. The ministers learned only that morning that the discussion would actually pertain to the operation in Gaza.

In its summary announcement for the discussion, the Prime Minister's Bureau devoted one line to the situation in Gaza, compared to one whole page that concerned the outlawing of 35 Islamic organizations.

What actually went on at the cabinet meeting was a five-hour discussion about the operation in which ministers were briefed about the various blueprints and plans of action. "It was a very detailed review," one minister said.

The minister added: "Everyone fully understood what sort of period we were heading into and what sort of scenarios this could lead to. No one could say that he or she did not know what they were voting on." The minister also said that the discussion showed that the lessons of the Winograd Committee about the performance of decision-makers during the 2006 Second Lebanon War were "fully internalized."

At the end of the discussion, the ministers unanimously voted in favor of the strike, leaving it for the prime minister, the defense minister and the foreign minister to work out the exact time.

While Barak was working out the final details with the officers responsible for the operation, Livni went to Cairo to inform Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, that Israel had decided to strike at Hamas.

In parallel, Israel continued to send out disinformation in announcing it would open the crossings to the Gaza Strip and that Olmert would decide whether to launch the strike following three more deliberations on Sunday - one day after the actual order to launch the operation was issued.

"Hamas evacuated all its headquarter personnel after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday," one defense official said, "but the organization sent its people back in when they heard that everything was put on hold until Sunday."

The final decision was made on Friday morning, when Barak met with Chief of Staff General Gabi Ashkenazi, the head of the Shin Bet Security Service Yuval Diskin and the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, Amos Yadlin. Barak sat down with Olmert and Livni several hours later for a final meeting, in which the trio gave the air force its orders.

On Friday night and on Saturday morning, opposition leaders and prominent political figures were informed about the impending strike, including Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, Yisrael Beuiteinu's Avigdor Liebermen, Haim Oron from Meretz and President Shimon Peres, along with Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik.

Related articles:

Olmert: Our desire for quiet was met with terror

One Israeli killed, 4 hurt as Palestinian rockets hit Negev home

At least 205 dead, over 200 hurt in IAF Gaza strikes

ANALYSIS / IAF strike on Gaza is Israel's version of 'shock and awe'

IN PICTURES / Gaza under attack

Bradley Burston / The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear in wartime

U.S. demands Hamas end terrorist acts, urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties

Israeli Arabs react with violence to IDF operations in Gaza

Israel to mount emergency international PR effort in wake of Gaza campaign

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	Bolivia cuts ties with Israel, says it seeks war crimes charges.


	Who needs the Knesset?
	Arab parties: We'll establish an alternative Arab parliament.




1.	Well planned	23:13	\|	Daniel Donaly	27/12/08

2.	Well, Well. They Sure Fooled Me	23:23	\|	Jeff Northridge	27/12/08

3.	IAF/IDF -still the best in the world	23:29	\|	don	27/12/08

4.	Israel does not yet realize how they have put	23:37	\|	Kris Lazar	27/12/08

5.	About time they kept their mouths shut....	23:48	\|	Nemesis	27/12/08

6.	absolutely genius	23:53	\|	alibaba	27/12/08

7.	intelligence	00:02	\|	hs	28/12/08

8.	disinformation , secrecy!	00:08	\|	rachel	28/12/08

9.	all jew pigs must die	00:08	\|	only option	28/12/08

10.	The only way to deal with a "Hubna"	00:10	\|	enrique	28/12/08

11.	hs: Why do you believe this story?	00:25	\|	Moshe Dayan`s ghost	28/12/08

12.	The cease-fire was just a pretext	00:26	\|	Ben Alofs	28/12/08

13.	about time israel woke up.G-d bless israeli army	00:27	\|	reuven	28/12/08

14.	It`s just another battle	00:33	\|	Alan	28/12/08

15.	what is so heroic about targeting innocent police cadets	00:35	\|	KMS	28/12/08

16.	"Lies`?	00:56	\|	Meir	28/12/08

17.	Don�t ever under-estimate Israel...	00:57	\|	Victor	28/12/08

18.	#2 the best in the world?	01:00	\|	chris	28/12/08

19.	# Jeff - don`t gloat	01:05	\|	Janice	28/12/08

20.	Warcrimes	01:08	\|	Wouter de Wit	28/12/08

21.	Put it to rest	01:12	\|	Refugee	28/12/08

22.	do the job	01:14	\|	me	28/12/08

23.	Lies	01:17	\|	USA	28/12/08

24.	I don`t think Israel has a future.	01:20	\|	Michael	28/12/08

25.	A rabid dog always eventually bites.	01:32	\|	Che Vive	28/12/08

26.	If this is indeed true	01:34	\|	Avi	28/12/08

27.	Stupid Jews, they can`t keep their mouths from running.	01:43	\|	Howard	28/12/08

28.	War is never about between TV commercials! Who have patients?	02:00	\|	John	28/12/08

29.	re: Don	02:03	\|	Brian	28/12/08

30.	A Lesson for Abbas & Obama	02:11	\|	Mark of Lewiston	28/12/08

31.	Common sense	02:16	\|	Peter Williams	28/12/08

32.	about time	02:46	\|	shimon	28/12/08

33.	What`s true?	02:48	\|	Ken	28/12/08

34.	Lies	03:09	\|	Asaf	28/12/08

35.	Reply to Jeff Northridge (Post No. 1)	04:15	\|	Johnny Weintraub	28/12/08

36.	Right thing to do	04:35	\|	Alex	28/12/08

37.	#2 don, I am so impressed	04:35	\|	Mark B.	28/12/08

38.	ZIONIST LIARS	04:51	\|	Yaacov	28/12/08

39.	Blaming Barak??	04:54	\|	Jossef	28/12/08

40.	IAF,IDF Best Palestenions.	04:55	\|	Dr.Joji Cherian	28/12/08

41.	Finally!	05:00	\|	Stephanie	28/12/08

42.	Disinformation, secrecy and lies ??????	05:00	\|	Free Gilad Shalit	28/12/08

43.	To IAF / IDF Good luck and come home safely	05:02	\|	Free Gilad Shalit	28/12/08

44.	They didn`t clobber Hamas though	05:05	\|	Marilyn	28/12/08

45.	Same Ehud Barak who said that 2001	05:12	\|	KenB	28/12/08

46.	No3	05:12	\|	Marilyn	28/12/08

47.	hs, this could be a continuation of the same disinformation......	05:32	\|	Emanuel	28/12/08

48.	Why the underhanded, sneaky so-and-so`s!	06:07	\|	Jim	28/12/08

49.	Hosni Mubarak	06:12	\|	Palestinian	28/12/08

50.	Disinformation, secrecy..., but why "lies"? Enemy`s Defeat!!!!!!!	06:26	\|	Vittorio	28/12/08

51.	We still have faith in Israel`s army - keep it up!	06:53	\|	George	28/12/08

52.	Barbarians!	06:54	\|	KMansfield	28/12/08

53.	Disinformation, secrecy and lies	06:59	\|	D R	28/12/08

54.	BRAVO IDF	07:04	\|	MERNA	28/12/08

55.	Its about time!!!!	07:08	\|	Rambo	28/12/08

56.	He has instructed the army to prepare ... OFFCOURSE	07:21	\|	Ognjen Diamant	28/12/08

57.	I completely agree with nr. 3, hs	07:23	\|	vs	28/12/08

58.	Nothing new, but maybe this time...	07:59	\|	Dee	28/12/08

59.	Israel two-faced as usual	08:05	\|	Jason Talbot	28/12/08

60.	IAF are COWARDS	08:11	\|	Jon	28/12/08

61.	How witty...	08:14	\|	Katharina	28/12/08

62.	Gaza Strike	09:00	\|	Juan Tenorio	28/12/08

63.	Every army has plans well in advance of every possibility.	09:05	\|	Jo	28/12/08

64.	CONTINUE WAR TO END GAZA HAMAS CONTROL! NO PLACE FOR TERROR AGAIN	09:11	\|	VOICE of MOSHIACH)))	28/12/08

65.	Be ashamed to bomb civilians from air	09:16	\|	Peace Maker	28/12/08

66.	Jeff Northridge	09:23	\|	Palestinian Brit	28/12/08

67.	Juan	09:23	\|	Ehud	28/12/08

68.	#6 Civilians don`t wear military fatigues	09:25	\|	Gili	28/12/08

69.	No 4 - the end of any peace deal	09:25	\|	Palestinian Brit	28/12/08

70.	Barak at the centre of deception again.	09:32	\|	Palestinian Brit	28/12/08

71.	To #7 - Peacemaker	09:34	\|	David	28/12/08

72.	And what do we learn from that ?? The world can`t trust Israel...	09:38	\|	Swiss (Dino)	28/12/08

73.	To #13 (not #7) - Peacemaker	09:56	\|	David	28/12/08

74.	Katharina #9 You think so?	10:00	\|	S	28/12/08

75.	David - the response	10:14	\|	Palestinian Brit	28/12/08

76.	Swiss a true believer of HAMAS	10:23	\|	Aby	28/12/08

77.	I am reading all those condemnations of Barak`s ruse and	10:26	\|	S	28/12/08

78.	Yeah right morons	10:34	\|	Marilyn	28/12/08

79.	to Swiss Dino who lies?	10:38	\|	CM	28/12/08

80.	a very well crafted plan by barak and team	11:06	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	28/12/08

81.	Jason Talbot and Mark of Lewiston	11:13	\|	Elihu	28/12/08

82.	I think both sides are nuts.	11:13	\|	Andrew	28/12/08

83.	War and killing - Israel`s speciality	11:28	\|	Tony Price	28/12/08

84.	What does this have to do with Iran?	11:34	\|	Dave B	28/12/08

85.	Now Hamas, and Hizb-Iran aka `Hizballah` is next	11:39	\|	Stuart	28/12/08

86.	Every competent military has a pre-game	11:41	\|	dyinglikeflies	28/12/08

87.	Tony P,"your electorate is a bit short on historical knowledge"	11:43	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	28/12/08

88.	Israeli casualties	11:57	\|	Jim Melia	28/12/08

89.	WHAT REALLY HAPPENED	12:17	\|	USA MILITARY EXPERT	28/12/08

90.	Missed something: Where are exactly the `LIES` here???	12:17	\|	AA	28/12/08

91.	Kol Hakavod	12:17	\|	Ros	28/12/08

92.	In reply #12	12:22	\|	Israeli citizens	28/12/08

93.	Shock & Awe is pure terrorism.	12:31	\|	Michael	28/12/08

94.	to Jason	12:38	\|	me	28/12/08

95.	#2 You are right but...	12:38	\|	Mahdi	28/12/08

96.	M of L, ever heard of contingency planning?	12:43	\|	Peter Williams	28/12/08

97.	Congratulations	12:47	\|	KUTW	28/12/08

98.	"disinformation, secrecy and lies"; the zionist`s forte	12:49	\|	eric	28/12/08

99.	7. Alan: dont forget the reasons why	12:52	\|	KUTW	28/12/08

100.	Refugee, bit of a stretch mate	12:59	\|	Peter Williams	28/12/08

101.	# 14 to refugee re: lol...i missed that little tidbit	13:01	\|	eric	28/12/08

102.	Rats amongst the ranks	13:20	\|	Peter Williams	28/12/08

103.	DinoSwiss displays his true colours	13:31	\|	Peter Williams	28/12/08

104.	#30, Mark of Lewiston	13:40	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	28/12/08

105.	#21, Refugee	13:42	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	28/12/08

106.	to #72 Swiss (Dino)	13:48	\|	El_Justiciero	28/12/08

107.	#98, eric on secrecy and disinformation	13:51	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	28/12/08

108.	#30, Mark of Lewiston, post script	14:00	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	28/12/08

109.	#20 wouter de wit	14:16	\|	J. B.	28/12/08

110.	you will receive your just reward throughout the world	14:18	\|	Blackpool Rock	28/12/08

111.	Cipora -I owe you from the previous thread	14:21	\|	S	28/12/08

112.	No. 105. Barak`s statement.....	15:36	\|	Palestinian Brit	28/12/08

113.	#1 Well planned !!??	18:43	\|	Albert	28/12/08

114.	To Janice ---- Learn your history b4 you speak	23:47	\|	Kobi	28/12/08

115.	#112, Palestinian Brit	00:46	\|	Bruce	29/12/08

116.	# 107 you`re right cipora	03:48	\|	eric	29/12/08

117.	#15kms-What was so heroic about bombing the Gestapo?depends on wh	07:58	\|	Susanna/Shoshana	29/12/08

118.	Ouch	07:59	\|	RFE	29/12/08

119.	#21 you idiots, on the one hand Israel is criticized for not	08:18	\|	Susanna/Shoshana	29/12/08

120.	Olmert	08:25	\|	MMM	29/12/08

121.	I misspelled crapping-I hope all of Israel`s enemies are crapping	08:38	\|	Susanna/Shoshana	29/12/08

122.	IDF/IAF the best? Really? (to don)	08:43	\|	Ali	29/12/08

123.	Very Good	08:44	\|	An American	29/12/08

124.	# 111 to my friend "S"	09:07	\|	eric	29/12/08

125.	#124, Eric	10:12	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	29/12/08

126.	Anything less would be irresponsible	10:26	\|	David	29/12/08

127.	CJK forgets to use her head #80	13:22	\|	Roo	29/12/08

128.	Disinformation	15:42	\|	moni	29/12/08

129.	Gaza offensive	21:44	\|	Willem	29/12/08

130.	To Janice ---- Learn your history b4 you speak	22:07	\|	Stanley	29/12/08

131.	#127, Roo, lacking in logic	23:49	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	29/12/08

132.	CJK. Madame and Logic	01:04	\|	Roo	30/12/08

133.	Murdering civilians	03:25	\|	Cam	30/12/08

134.	#132, Roo	09:12	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	30/12/08

135.	CJK	21:10	\|	Roo	30/12/08

136.	is that a fact, cipora?	22:50	\|	hollingsworth	30/12/08

137.	Disinformation, no, good planning	23:51	\|	Nora	30/12/08

138.	Do No Wrong	19:37	\|	Mavi Hakiniv	31/12/08

139.	Lies, part II	08:01	\|	Norman Dale	05/01/09

140.	Yes, Hollingsworth: There is no Santa Claus either.	08:09	\|	Norman Dale	05/01/09

141.	hate	20:55	\|	hank	10/01/09

142.	to Jason in Atlanta and all the other rabid anti-semites	13:42	\|	Sallee	15/01/09

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