The patriotism of blue-and-white heads should not be questioned, but the head should not be buried in the sand • In Tehran and Gaza, they want to overthrow the right-wing government and bring about a more comfortable government for them • The Gaza operation should only go out if it intends to topple Hamas rule - and only after a new government is elected • Interpretation

Statistics are not always accurate, but they certainly do not lie. Examining the three rounds of elections, starting in March 2019, through September and ending next week's elections - each won a round of rockets from Gaza. The interpretation is clear - again stakeholders are trying to influence voters. Gaza wants to embarrass Netanyahu. The question is, will they succeed this time?

Since March 2019, the State of Israel has been in a political turmoil that fails to achieve balance. The Israeli voter has not decided what he wants: a liberal government, a national government, a territorial compromise, or annexation and expansion of sovereignty. Israel is always divided, and this fact, as usual, is exploited by the Palestinians, to the end.

The year 2019 was a turning point in the rocket launches in Gaza. The dam was actually breached when, since Operation Strong Cliff in August 2014, we have not seen thick rocket rounds like this past year. The proximity of the rounds cannot be separated for election. The Palestinians are undoubtedly trying to influence the decision of the Israeli voter, and in a targeted way to embarrass Prime Minister Netanyahu, by seeking to step down from his chair and clear the place to Gantz who is more comfortable for them.

Objective: To overthrow the right-wing regime

As in the two previous rounds of elections, this debate is also again debated whether Hamas is responsible or that the Jihad took the initiative, and what the Iranian involvement is. There is no doubt: all the stirrings and plots around us are fueling the fire, and everyone has one interest - overthrowing the right-wing government, and generating broad legitimacy for the rise of liberal rule, which will probably redirect energies to a process of compromise that includes retreats. The Palestinians are disintegrating - as far as they are concerned, there is no better time to put out the fire, and watch us all bark at each other.

Netanyahu has previously stated that an operation in Gaza is a matter of time. He also recently added that Hamas would be surprised. Will he fulfill his statements this time?

So far, Netanyahu has avoided being drawn to the whims of terrorists. His decisions were responsible both in the priority context for our initiative and for his reluctance to produce a military operation during an election period. These decisions showed that responsibility came before populism, and there was lasting proof to his colleagues that he was not at risk of threatening soldiers for political whim. And the question is until when, and didn't the moment come?

Occupation of the Gaza Strip and Hamas' collapse

Hence, it is worth thinking again what results a wide operation in Gaza will bring. This writer has written in the past, and I am consistent in my statement - the operation in Gaza should not go unless the situation is fundamentally changed. Either Hamas collapses and seizes control of the Gaza Strip, or they retaliate and do not enter. Everything in the middle is ineffective - we have done it in the past countless times, and it has not succeeded.

Operation to take over the Gaza Strip, Hamas collapse and demilitarization will take at least months. Its environmental implications are not simple, and it is complex. The government is unlikely to turn in this direction in the current period, especially in the days when the northern arena is attracting the most attention. There is likely to be a reaction this time around, too - but it will not escalate. In this context, at least for the near future, it is probably what it is.

On the other hand, it is clear that if a new government is to be formed, Hamas should be put to the back: the continuing shooting will no longer be accepted, no matter what government there is. We must no longer accept the threat we have become accustomed to, and it must be put to an end. This is why the IDF must intensify its preparations for a broad, deep and thorough operation in the Gaza Strip - this is an inevitable step, but it should be decided by a select government and a broad consensus.

The writer is the commander of the former IDF Armor Brigade, currently a researcher in the field of military and company relations