Reverse Equation - Even At Escalation Price | Israel today

Unlike last Saturday's events, yesterday's demonstration on the Gaza border passed relatively quietly.

It was evident that lessons had been learned on both sides of the border, in an attempt to avoid unwanted deterioration.

Hamas has pledged to Egypt to act to restrain the protesters.

His intervention forces have shown greater aggression than before, including placing covert forces operating out of the crowd in an attempt to control him.

It did not stop all the protesters from reaching the fence, but it significantly reduced their numbers and enthusiasm.

At the same time, the IDF learned lessons from its failed tactical operation on Saturday, which allowed many demonstrators to reach the fence and the fatal injury of the fighter Barel Hadaria Shmueli.

And more importantly: a force was used, albeit restrained, but one designed to stop the violent elements before they reached the fence.

The use of Roger rifles and tear gas did cause some casualties on the Palestinian side, but the alternative was the use of live fire and a much larger number of casualties.

All of these allowed yesterday’s demonstration to end quietly, but it is worth avoiding conclusions about the future.

Hamas, it seems, is determined to continue to use the weapons of the demonstrations, knowing that it is attracting international and media attention, and that it is challenging Israel.

In the past, this tool has arranged Qatar's silver suitcases courtesy of Israel, and it is likely that in the current round too, Hamas will try to capitalize the demonstrations on a similar achievement - direct (in money or goods) or indirect (in other facilitations to the Strip).

This will require Israel to formulate a strategy and clear red lines as soon as possible.

So far she has made it clear what is not: not for any progress without a solution of the issue of prisoners and missing persons.

Assuming that this issue is not resolved soon in light of the large gaps between the parties, Israel will also be required to say so.

Otherwise, it will find itself very quickly dragged into a daily confrontation on the fence of the Gaza Strip, and perhaps also into the resumption of rocket fire into Israeli territory and the inflating of incendiary balloons.

All of these, or some of them, are likely to happen in the coming days, in an attempt to overshadow Prime Minister Bennett's visit to Washington.

Precisely here, Israel would do well to take a deep breath and count to a hundred.

The Bennett-Biden summit is of immense importance, far exceeding what is happening in Gaza.

Even if Hamas tries to divert public opinion to it, Israel must remain mainly focused - Iran, Iran and Iran, and a little more Iran.

But once this visit is over, Israel must do what it had to do immediately after Operation Wall Guard: decide what it intends to do with Gaza.

Not in the empty statements that every balloon and every rocket will be answered severely, but in deeds.

If in Jerusalem they think the problem is Yahya Sinwar (as emerged yesterday from Defense Minister Ganz), it should be made clear to him and his surroundings that if he does not change his ways, his days are numbered.

In other words, Israel needs to turn the equation around.

Instead of the rules being set in the Gaza Strip, they should be set in Jerusalem.

Instead of Israel doing everything in its power to avoid a resumption of hostilities, Hamas is the one to fear.

While this may rise in point or broad escalation, Hamas and Sinwar have more to lose.

If they do not understand this in words, it seems that Israel will have no choice but to talk to them again with missiles.