Quote Originally Posted by Vladimir
*Ahem* Meaning that they operate in and amongst civilians and don't have purely military targets like tanks and plans to destroy. You want to target these mobile rocket launch platforms? That would be like taking out mobile V-2 and Scud rocket launchers. Remember the problems we had with those? The only way to neutralize that threat is by occupation, and that's what they're trying to avoid.
Incorrect. Occupation does not neutralize the threat of mobile artillery systems.

Since you did mention it that is something that's been bothering me: Why can't they destroy the missiles in flight? They've deployed Patriot missiles to protect their fuel depots but why the overkill? If a Phalanx gun can track and shoot at a duck (used with blanks as a recruiting tool), why the hell can't they kill "homemade" missiles?
Something to do with time of flight, angle of fire, time of accquisition. It does not take long for missiles to travel the range that they are firing them.

Oh and Redleg, do you really think they care about rocket fumes?
Those that fire the missiles surely care......

Given that Hezabollah has some experience firing missiles - assuming that they are dumb after years of firing them is rather dumb....

They are firing them in and adjacent to residential areas. Besides terrorists can be dumb just like the rest of us. Doesn't anyone remember the IRA mortar attack on an airfield where they fired mortars from the back of a car? Needless to say the car caught on fire.
Yep and many nations fire mortars out of the back of pickup trucks, guess what was one of the priority targets for counterbattery fire during Desert Storm, and operations in Somilia. ANd I am willing to bet its placed up their fairily high in Iraq and Afganstan right now also.

I wonder if you have seen the firing platform for the 120mm mortar for the United States. Its fired from an APC....