IAF Combat Video up on YouTube

[Solo_in_MD]

In a number of threads I have commented that the IAF should have video which shows the strikes and why a particular building was target. Here are two such videos. These links were sent to me, I did not post or find them

War in Lebanon: Hezbollah Rockets Fired From House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyHQFyO_fu4&eurl=

Hezbollah's Use of Human Shields: http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=/watch%3Fsearch%3D%26mode%3Drelated%26v%3DKM35dzT9dUI

Both are also here without a password required (noxious site, but the vids are there) http://www.openfire.us/blog/archives/2006/08/3543.php

A couple of comments on these:
- They have clearly been processed. Titles, yellow circles, hebrew labeling etc. Also identifying data including time and location have been cropped out of the frame. That information is there in US aircraft (think back to the Desert Storm videos or some from Iraq), and should be on IAF raw video as well
- They seem genuine. No obvious tampering ala Reuters. That does not mean they are, but nothing glaringly fake.
- This does not prove that all strikes were justified, but these two are pretty clear. Cherry picking is not new, and that these cut and dried ones found their way out does not surprise me.

I have asserted that the IAF could come up with this kind of video for most strikes. This could well be the first wave of hundreds of these videos coming out. The spin machines are just starting.

[tocqueville]

1. OK I checked both

comments :

it's not a katjuscha but probably a RPG shot (katjuschas have been filmed on TV and have a continuous long fuse and smoke trail and are much bigger)

it's not aimed at an Israeli town. You don't fire HORIZONTALLY a rocket aimed at a town (unless the "town" is at close range). You send in a ballistic curve.

it's probably aimed at a tank or advancing infantry

in urban warfare houses are used as protection. Nothing shows that civilians are in the area.

Then why wait the shot of two rounds to take out the house when the suspect has been identified ? Specially since the rockets are "aimed" at a town...

check the video of a real katjuscha launch here

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactical_High_Energy_Laser

the second video shows guys driving a truck in a garage. Since it's impossible to know what was in the truck and since not a single soul is seen, it's impossible to know if the house was empty, used or not. This is only... spin. The claim of human shield is preposterous.

It's like the reverse spin about Kyriat Shemona. It's a Kibbutz OK. But what is never shown is the adjacent military base. 500 yards distance maybe. Just Google Earth and see for yourself.

I call BS and the first one is even more obvious.

[Solo_in_MD]

2. Call BS on what?

Not all rockets are Katyushas. There is insufficent data to support your assertion that it is in a horrizontal flight path, but I agree that it. Classic 2d-3d problem associated with that kind of sensor. Having seen RPG-7s up close I dont think it is an RPG-7 round. There is also no other fighting in the field of regard and RPGs are close in weapons. Given a single shooter, my guess would have been a shorter range rocket.

You are quite correct that there are no civilians in view. That does not prove they are not there, just that there are none in view.

The delay in targeting the house is actually reasonable if the opservation platform is unarmed or has expended all its ordinance. My assumption is its a UAV with a designator and they had to bring a aircraft into launch range.

Note the other site has both up without a password, but its pretty noxious.

With out context data, its hard to make much in the way of meaningful interpretation other than buildings were destroyed since they were being used for military purposes. That was probaly the intent. Would like to know what the Hebrew said.

[tocqueville]

3. BS on rocket aimed at Israeli town

Looks still like an anti tank missile (OK maybe not a RPG but more an ATGM type Milan). There could be targets in the vicinity that you don't see, an anti-tank weapon like that has a range of severall kms.

I think it was an armed drone (BTW it stands more or less in the second video). And I give you the doubt for the delay.

But it's absolutely NOT a bunch of Katjuschas hidden in houses full of wailing women and children as the headlines intend to induce the reader to believe...

that's why I call BS.

[Solo_in_MD]

4. I still think its indeterminate, observation angle makes it hard to tell.

but I am pendantic that way. The context information would make that much easier to determine (time and location).

Israel has a few armed UAVs. First video could go either way. Second one was clearly an F-16 shooter, not clear if the UAV was designating.

I concure that titles are clearly inflamatory. I posted the videos mostly to show others what I think will be a barrage of them coming out and to get people interested in the tactical video. I would really like to know what the hebrew said in them as well

[breakaleg]

5. If you are going to make a claim that someone is using civilians as

human shields, then it is absolutely necessary that humans be in the picture or video. You don't assume they are there, you have to prove they are there.

This is preposterous:

"You are quite correct that there are no civilians in view. That does not prove they are not there, just that there are none in view."

[Lithos]

6. Locking per I/P: guidelines

Not based on a recent news or op-ed article.

Lithos
DU Moderator