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The expected reactions in Gaza must not continue Israel today

2021-04-26T15:36:55.389Z


The anemic response to the escalation may encourage terrorists in Gaza • Must prepare for strategic war • Interpretation | Security


The anemic response to escalation in the south may encourage terrorist elements in the Gaza Strip • Israel must prepare for strategic war in Gaza • Interpretation

    Israel's anemic response to the escalation in the last two days in the Gaza Strip (Israel did not bother to respond to last night's events at all) may encourage Gazan terrorists to take stronger action against Israel and weaken Israeli deterrence against Hamas. It is clear that Hamas is repeatedly trying to produce an equation according to which terrorist incidents that take place in Jerusalem - and an Israeli response to them - necessarily lead to the opening of a front in Gaza.



    The current escalation is likely due to a combination of two main reasons: First, the desire of Hamas and the terrorist organizations in Gaza to give backing and support to the "people's struggle" and the religious war in Jerusalem (among other things due to the possibility of Palestinian elections). Second, an Iranian attempt to set fire to the area, targeting some of the terrorist organizations in Gaza. 



    Against the background of Israel's diplomatic struggle against the renewal of the nuclear agreement, and the systems against Iran's establishment in Syria and against the precision missile project in Lebanon, the desire in Jerusalem at this time to avoid widespread conflict in the Gaza Strip is understandable and correct. However, this is not a zero-sum game or a binary equation of "response" or "no response" to rocket launches from Gaza. Nor does it stipulate that Israel must continue to adhere to its normal policy of weak and almost unresponsive counterterrorism targets in Gaza.



    In fact, a more powerful than usual response is needed, which includes attacking more significant and vital targets for Hamas and terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip. However, care must be taken not to reach a wide-ranging confrontation at this time, as Israel has more important and strategic interests. Hence there is a need for a complex attempt to maneuver with no common sense and intelligence between the sectors and fronts, without unnecessary fuss and while taking calculated risks of the situation. Israel needs to radiate to Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza because it is not afraid to enter into a confrontation, even if it does not want to and has no interest in doing so at this time. The Hamas consciousness must have the constant thought that Israel may step out of its "comfort zone" and conduct itself in an unexpected and surprising way. The continuation of the current policy, let alone the lack of response, will only increase the appetite of the elements of terrorism in Gaza.



    In general, Israel must prepare for a strategic war in the Gaza Strip, on an offensive initiative, at a time appropriate to it, and with a clear goal of reaching a military decision and defeating the enemy. Until then, short rounds of fighting or military operations are not expected to lead to a fundamental change, and Israel's dragging itself into such situations will not help. It would not be right to respond with too strong an intensity that would lead to a military round or a military operation, as long as Israel does not reach a decision on a decision and strategic change.



    Until the day a decision is made to defeat Hamas, Israel will do well if it repeatedly raises the bar of its response to the Gaza aggression, and does not continue with stereotypical and predictable responses. Of course, if Hamas and the terrorist organizations in Gaza continue to launch the rockets, then it will be inevitable to embark on rounds of hostilities or military operations aimed at strengthening or maintaining deterrence. But these steps should be the last resort.



    Omar Dostri is a researcher at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security

    Source: israelhayom

    All news articles on 2021-04-26

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