U.S. expects Iraq
to hit Israel hard
Missiles aimed at Tel Aviv likely to carry deadly warheads, say intelligence sources
December 30, 2002
By Joseph Farah
WASHINGTON – During the early stages of a U.S.-led attack on Iraq, Israeli population centers in Tel Aviv and elsewhere are expected to be targeted by Iraq's missiles – some of which are likely to be armed with chemical, biological or even nuclear warheads, say WorldNetDaily's U.S. military and intelligence sources.
Unlike the first Persian Gulf War, however, the U.S. is not demanding that Israel sit back and take the blows. Instead, the U.S. is fully anticipating an Israeli response to any attack that results in massive civilian casualties.
The missile attacks on Israel are expected during the air-war phase of the Iraq attack – before U.S. troops can occupy much of the country and secure or destroy hidden missile bases.
Israel has perhaps the most advanced missile defense system in the world, but it is not expected to be 100 percent effective against a barrage assault.
A growing number of U.S. military intelligence analysts believe Hussein has at least limited nuclear capabilities.
"When he is certain his time has come," said one, "he will launch his doomsday weapon. He wants to go down in history as the man who destroyed Israel."
In addition to lashing out at Israel, Saddam Hussein is expected to blow up many of his oil wells. Already, sources say, he has begun mining them in ways that will make it most difficult to extinguish the fires and cap the wells.
The contingency plan of attack on Iraq calls for a four-phase campaign:
The first phase is under way – it involves mobilizing forces and deploying them in key locations.
The second phase, which will occur after the execute order is issued by President Bush, will be a four-day air war.
The third phase contemplates a 45-day ground invasion.
The final phase is an occupation, regime change and rebuilding effort similar to what is happening in Afghanistan today.
U.S. military planners believe Iraq will target Israel early – before U.S. forces have a chance to destroy the regime's missiles. Destroying the wells will be Hussein's second priority, and using any remaining missiles on U.S. forces will be his third priority.
The intelligence sources also say the Iraqi government is kidnapping and arresting its own top scientists – those involved in developing weapons of mass destruction – to keep them away from U.N. weapons inspectors. In addition, more than 1,000 high-level Iraqi officials have defected in recent months. Much of the information about plans and capabilities is coming from those officials.
The order to attack Iraq is not expected to come before the end of January to provide U.N. weapons inspectors the time they need to gather data and make a report, say WorldNetDaily's sources.
One of the major concerns of war planners is how they will destroy Hussein's massive underground facilities. Some of his bunkers are hundreds of feet below the surface and include railroad lines and expensive fortifications. His "super-gun" cannons have never been located and may be hidden within one of these underground facilities.
The Pentagon's burrowing bombs cannot penetrate deep bunkers of this kind. Some planners have even discussed the possibility of using low-yield nuclear bombs.
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