Metis-M.

This is coolbert:

Here is the latest dope on Hamas machinations in the Gaza Strip.

Using the expertise of Syrian and Iranian "advisors".

And the Metis-M Russian anti-tank-guided-missile [ATGM] which I have blogged about before.

As taken from the web site DEBKAfile.

"The Russian-made antitank missile Metis-M9 is returning to the battle field - - this time to the Gaza Strip."

"November 1, 2006, 2:23 PM (GMT+02:00)

Exclusive to DEBKAfile's military and intelligence sources: Early Wednesday morning, Nov. 1, the IDF embarked on a large operation in the Beit Hanun area in northern Gaza to halt the firing of Qassam rockets and eliminate terrorist cells. But the primary purpose is to thwart the new military option Hamas has been using against the IDF - squads that fire antitank missiles, a tactic Hizballah employed during the recent war in Lebanon.

IDF troops exchanged heavy fire with Palestinian gunmen in the northern Gaza Strip. Nine Palestinians were killed and 40 were wounded, the IDF reported.

A few hours after the operation began, IDF brass informed the security cabinet in Jerusalem about the latest developments in Gaza, including information about Hamas's plans for an impending offensive against Israel, which is being coordinated with the help of military advisers from Iran and Syria, some of whom are already in the Gaza Strip working to carry out the plan.

. . . .

Instead of firing rockets, Hamas intends to open a barrage of around-the-clock heavy fire on Israel, using antitank missiles, short-range ground-to-ground missiles and artillery fire - similar to what Hizballah used during the Lebanon war - and mortar fire.

The massive barrage of fire, Hamas believes, will prevent Israel from embarking on any military or civilian activity in a 2-km to 4-km buffer zone from the Gaza security fence. The intention is to transform all IDF bases and outposts, and all settlements in the Negev, into ghost towns, since any movement between them would entail heavy losses."

The normal tactics to counter the ATGM would include combined arms units dismounted mechanized infantry, organic mortar and artillery fire, and helicopter gunship fire. This sort of tactics uses a LOT of troops and vehicles. More tempting targets for ATGM ambushes.

AND THE USE OF VOLUNTARY HUMAN SHIELDS ON THE PART OF THE PALESTINIANS GREATLY COMPLICATES THINGS. THIS LAST FRIDAY SEVERAL HUNDRED PALESTINIAN WOMEN RAN FROM PRAYER SERVICES AT A MOSQUE AND IMPOSED THEMSELVES BETWEEN MERKAVA TANKS AND EMBATTLED PALESTINIAN FIGHTERS!!

The Israeli really has a mess on their hands. The conventional tactics that almost always worked against Arab armies and Palestinian fighters seem to go for naught these days. To find a solution will take a lot of thought and resolve.

coolbert.