Debka is a Middle Eastern (Israeli) source. In the Middle East, deliberate misinformation is widely practiced, and juicy paranoid rumors are just too good hold back.
In my opinion, Debka will sometimes indulge in this, or be used for this purpose, perhaps by some political or intelligence organizations.
Nonetheless, they are close to the action in Israel, which is a small population. When you are circulating among defense, foreign policy and Intel circles in such a small country, you are bound to pick up valid rumors as well as bad.
Definitely, take what they say with a grain of salt, especially when they are discussing events in other countries in the region. They have been an early indicator of shifts in Israeli operations during this Gaza conflict though, at least earlier than the Western media.
Let’s test it out, and watch to see what happens in the 24-72 hours after the cease fire expires Wednesday night.
I have been an advocate of a lightning decapitation strike on Hamas HQ under the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City - big thermobaric explosions down every entrance, and back to base for the next meal, to watch the Navy bombard all their coastal mansions. Rattle their cage hard, and fill the sky with drones while they scurry.
So far, I have been disappointed by the lack of a strategic victory against Hamas. Their is no substitute for victory. Gaza has fallen from the spotlight, given what is happening in Iraq, but there is no agreement there, the Egyptians continue to advocate more decisive action, and rockets continue to threaten Israel.
Let’s see if Debka is right, calling a near term ramp up of aggressiveness against Hamas after this cease fire.
While there is some tit for tat right now as the previous ceasefire expired, it looks to me like the gist of the DEBKA article was dead wrong. It appears that Israel is generally looking to agree to a new 5 day ceasefire. Situation is still fluid as I type this.
So far, I have been disappointed by the lack of a strategic victory against Hamas.
Perhaps you are assuming incorrectly that Israel actually wants to destroy Hamas. I would suggest that Israel is far more interested, at this time anyway, at just degrading them and leaving them to govern and provide services in Gaza. I think the outcome they'd like is to continue squeezing them along with Egypt and let Hamas flame out on their own and have the PA return triumphantly.
In my opinion, Debka will sometimes indulge in this, or be used for this purpose, perhaps by some political or intelligence organizations.
I think they just make stuff up. Over the years they have proven to be not only wrong, but spectacularly wrong over and over again. You and I know nothing is as it seems in the Middle East, and it seems to be that DEBKA often simply fabricates nonsense out of thin air - and when they sometimes get something right it is no more than the same educated guesses we could make.
We'll all watch and see how things develop.