Waiting period: Political sources explain in the talks that Israel faces a prolonged pounding from the air, despite the fact that two weeks have already passed since the massacre in the envelope.
In addition, according to the sources, Israel is deploying large forces on its borders and the goal is to fatally harm Hamas, but Israel will decide on the timing. According to the analysis presented to the ministers, a severe blow to Hamas now is also expected to strengthen the dimension of deterrence in the north vis-à-vis Hezbollah. The security doctrine that deterrence must be strengthened remains the central doctrine, and not the one that calls for the destruction of capabilities among our enemies wherever they may be (except at a time when Israel chooses).
The reported meetings between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Maj. Gen. (res.) Yitzhak Brik validate the conduct seen at this time. Brik himself has called in various interviews not to attack the Gaza Strip on the ground now, but to continue crushing Hamas from the air. The reason is that Israel estimates that Hamas is preparing to act forcefully against the ground forces, and the goal is, even after 1,400 casualties, to prevent large numbers of IDF casualties. In order to prevent a situation in which government ministers attack Israel's current conduct on the battlefield, Netanyahu briefed the ministers on the horizon of action.
Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak Brick, Photo: Dudi Vaknin
Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, interviewed on Reshet Bet, said today: "There is no need to rush into Gaza," he said. "The humanitarian situation there is not improving. Every minute that passes is not necessarily to our detriment, but rather to our advantage."
Netanyahu is leading the perception that there is no rush to operate on the ground in the Gaza Strip, according to several sources familiar with the decision-making. As in previous reports, while the military echelon had already proposed various actions, at this stage the political echelon, which was also joined by members of the small cabinet – Gantz and Eisenkot – decided to continue the aerial operation in the Gaza Strip. In an interview with Radio 103 a few days ago, Brick said: "Take your time, don't play into their hands. If in previous wars we had worked out of anger and rage and revenge, we would not be living here today. The people must understand that in order to reach the appropriate output, we must wait, because then Israel will suffer a severe blow." Similar things are being heard by those involved in decision-making these very days.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us