ISRAEL has deployed a 26ft-long armoured bulldozer to spearhead its invasion of Gaza as the military prepares to unleash 360,000 troops.
The Israeli Defence Forces are relying on the full force of its military might to carry out revenge on Hamas after the terrorist’s surprise attack killed hundreds of Israelis.
IDFThe 62-tonne monster bulldozer is almost impenetrable to guns and explosives[/caption]
IDFThe heavily modified Caterpillar was first deployed by the Israeli Defence Force in the 1950s[/caption]
A deadly concoction of over 600 warplanes and 300 rocket launchers is being used to blitz the densely-populated Gaza Strip as Israel begins their “complete siege”.
And their arsenal includes the D9R armoured bulldozer – nicknamed Doobi or “Teddy Bear” – that can deflect rockets and tackle a labyrinth of tunnels and sniper positions.
With 15 tonnes of added armour and a reinforced blade, the beast is almost impenetrable to guns or explosives.
Israel’s military has been massing hundreds of thousands of soldiers and tanks on the border as it gets ready to discharge a huge ground offensive – and the bulldozer will be key to the operation.
The heavily modified Caterpillar – first deployed by the Israeli Defence Force in the 1950s – will clear the way for tanks and troops, and safely detonate mines and explosive devices.
To reach Hamas’ strongholds, Israeli forces will have to breach several defensive lines – including mines, mortar targets and anti-tank weaponry.
The 62-tonne monster bulldozer has bullet-proof glass to protect the two crew on board against sniper and machine gun fire.
And it can be kitted out with a grenade launcher, a mounted machine gun installation, or even a smoke projector.
The D9R was upgraded with “slat armour” in 2015 to bolster it with more protection against rocket-propelled grenades – widely used by Hamas in previous conflicts.
Capable of carving through any obstacle in its path, it can also dig trenches and build bridges.
The vehicles are bought from Caterpillar for at least £739,000 by the Israeli military – and later heavily modified with specialist armour.
As Israel unleashed a devastating arsenal of high-tech weaponry, tanks and warplanes, it urged those living in Gaza City to flee their homes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to crush Hamas terrorists after gunmen stormed over the border and brutally shot men, women and children.
As the bloody war rages into its seventh day, leaflets warning citizens of an “imminent attack” have been seen dropping into residential areas as panicked families grab their belongings and run.
Israel’s military has been massing 360,000 soldiers on the border as it gets ready to discharge a huge ground offensive.
In a hint the expected invasion is imminent, the IDF warned: “This evacuation is for your own safety.”
It added that Hamas militants are hiding inside tunnels underneath the city and inside buildings where citizens live.
The IDF said: “In the following days, the IDF will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians.”
Sweeping evacuation orders for almost half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population were delivered shortly before midnight, UN officials said.
All 1.1 million have been told to leave north of Wadi Gaza including Gaza City for the south within 24 hours.
The Israeli military also sent an order directly Friday morning – warning the hundreds of thousands of civilians of Gaza City to flee deeper south into the Gaza Strip.
It sent panic rippling through civilians and workers already struggling under Israeli airstrikes and a blockade.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas day warned against a “second Nakba” catastrophe facing Palestinians after the Israeli army issued the evacuation warning.
The Nakba, or “catastrophe”, refers to 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes during the 1948 war that coincided with Israel’s creation.
It comes as Iran-backed Hezbollah insisted it is “fully prepared” to join Hamas in its bloody war.
Foreign powers urged Hezbollah to stay put on the sidelines – but deputy chief Naim Qassem vowed to join “when the time comes for action”.
The group has already clashed with Israel across the Lebanese border multiple times in the past week.
AlamyIsrael’s F-16ls that are currently involved in blitzing Gaza[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
