gaza bombing (you knew I was going to bring this up!)

[derrida]

Does anyone actually agree with Vaportrail? Not to minimize the obviously psychologically jarring effect that the Qassam rocket attacks have on Israeli civilians, but how exactly do primitive WWII-era munitions consist of an existential threat to one of the strongest militaries in the world?

As for Israel's other neighbors, trade with Israel is a central part of many middle eastern countries' economies, and an attack on Israel would open them up to a devastating air assault, possible nuclear strike, as well as a highly unfavorable military or economic response from the United States and/or Israel's other allies.

[Abcdxxxx]

Originally Posted by derrida

how exactly do primitive WWII-era munitions consist of an existential threat to one of the strongest militaries in the world?

They're not aimed at military targets, they're aimed at population centers, and kindergartens with a range effecting over 1 million Israelis.

Qassams didn't exist in WW2. They're about ten years old. The Katyushas are modified versions.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...mas-qassam.htm

[derrida]

Originally Posted by Abcdxxxx

They're not aimed at military targets, they're aimed at population centers, and kindergartens with a range effecting over 1 million Israelis.

Qassams didn't exist in WW2. They're about ten years old. The Katyushas are modified versions.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...mas-qassam.htm

Wouldn't it be more accurate to call Qassam rockets modified versions of Katyushas, which is the name given to the weapons system used in WWII?

[VaporTrailx1]

Well I know the Israelies are modern techwise, I was just wondering what they're primary export was.

[Abcdxxxx]

Originally Posted by derrida

Wouldn't it be more accurate to call Qassam rockets modified versions of Katyushas, which is the name given to the weapons system used in WWII?

No. It wouldn't be accurate.

And by the way....Bullets are pre-Civil War era technology, but they're still deadly.

[pac-man]

Originally Posted by Abcdxxxx

And by the way....Bullets are pre-Civil War era technology, but they're still deadly.

Great point.

[VaporTrailx1]

The Qassam is a half-assed home brewed knockoff of the Katyusha. usually contructed out of sheet metal and old piping. It would most accurately be described as an airborne pipe bomb.

And for the purists, a real Katyusha must also be launched from a Dodge flatbed.

[Abcdxxxx]

Hamas rocket capabilities have hit a range of 22 miles, forcing Israel to evacuate entire cities (shutting down schools, banks, etc.)....but hey, if you want to downplay that.....

http://idfspokesperson.com/2009/01/0...es-9-jan-2009/

They're also using Chinese made long range missiles.
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/1...chinese-a.html

Mind you, we don't really know what they have. It's a proxy war at this point.
[qoute]Hezbollah says Israel would be surprised by Hamas rockets [/quote]
http://en.ce.cn/World/Middleeast/200...17857320.shtml

[VaporTrailx1]

Well, they probably do have modern military rockets as well, but the Qassam is a homebrew.

[Dimnos]

Originally Posted by derrida

...an attack on Israel would open them up to a devastating air assault, possible nuclear strike, as well as a highly unfavorable military or economic response from the United States and/or Israel's other allies.

Any of this is better than Israel's ground assault?

[VaporTrailx1]

Well, looks like they've both told the UN to fuck off.