Originally Posted by BBC

Israeli ground troops and heavy armour have moved deeper into the Gaza Strip, in effect cutting the territory in two.

Supported by a naval, air and land bombardment, forces have taken up positions on either side of Gaza City, and along a major east-west road.

Originally Posted by SMG (Post 34709383)

Crap. The destruction is defiantly not the same.

The difference is that the dime weapon gives you a greater chance of survival, despite the damage.

Do you think any soldier cares about the possibility of developing cancer, if he survives a hit???? Matey, when your in close vicinity to a nail bomb or hesh, theres nothing left to develop cancer. One of the reasons this type of weapon was designed, is to take out the "concealed" enemy.

You know, saying things like "Not only that, this weapon goes into the atmosphere, and people who were not effected by the initial blast would get cancer." does not enhance your arguments.

Originally Posted by SMG (Post 34709389)

I suspect they will divide it into 4 parts before long.

Originally Posted by chaos23 (Post 34709391)

You convienetly fail to mention, once again, women and children. Or are they just classed as collateral damage.

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 34709392)

I wonder what their intended end game is? Do they really think they can get rid of Hamas? I suspect they could destroy a good amount of their military infrastructure.

Originally Posted by chaos23 (Post 34709391)

You convienetly fail to mention, once again, women and children. Or are they just classed as collateral damage.

"Toxic/Carcinogenic Effects

The carcinogenic effects of heavy metal tungsten alloys (HMTA) have been studied by the U.S. Armed Forces since at least 2000 (along with depleted uranium (DU)). These alloys were found to cause neoplastic transformations of human osteoblast cells[3].

A more recent U.S. Department of Health study in 2005 found that HMTA shrapnel rapidly induces rhabdomyosarcoma cancers in rats.[4]

The tungsten alloy carcinogenicity may be most closely related to the nickel content of the alloys used in weapons to date. However, pure tungsten and tungsten trioxide are also suspected of causing cancer and other toxic properties, and have been shown to have such effects in animal studies. [5]"

Originally Posted by icestar2 (Post 34709394)

Is this better than the airstrike though ? people have been saying the only way to achieve anything with military means is to use ground forces so is now the right move ?

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 34709392)

I wonder what their intended end game is? Do they really think they can get rid of Hamas? I suspect they could destroy a good amount of their military infrastructure.

Originally Posted by Uncle Peter (Post 34709400)

Just to put the tungsten alloy weapon issue to bed I think the concern is that, for example: you could be injured by a conventional bomb and live a relatively normal life or you could be injured by one of these things with an increased risk of developing cancer. Not to mention the potentially nasty by products which may be left lying around if they're not cleaned up.

Originally Posted by SMG (Post 34709401)

I dont think they are naive enough to think they will rid the place of Hamas, but they have already made an impression on their infrastructure & command. I reckon another 6-9 days will see it out. I did think Obama may have made a "peace" visit & put pressure on, but unless someone does, Israel will just plod on.

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 34709406)

It will be interesting to see the aftermath this time around, Obama really needs to tell Israel to restrain themselves! A task which is not easy unless Hamas/Hizbollah stop trying to provoke em.

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 34709406)

I wonder if this conflict will ever end, we like making comparisons to Northern Ireland but this seems so much more complex. War seems to be too engrained in the minds of both sides that it seems unlikely the population of either side will put pressure for a lasting solution. :(

It will be interesting to see the aftermath this time around, Obama really needs to tell Israel to restrain themselves! A task which is not easy unless Hamas/Hizbollah stop trying to provoke em.

Wonder if Obama is beginning to regreat winning the election :p: Come to think of it, Does anyone remember Biden saying that Obama will be faced with a serious crisis when he takes up office? Spooky.