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Initial insights on Operation Breaking Dawn:

1. The operation is directed against the smallest and weakest of our opponents, so it is worth assigning the right proportions to the events.
2. Hamas is not deterred, but rather restrains itself. It acts according to its own time frame and interests. It will respond if it is forced to, only from its own considerations and if the circumstances require it (civilian victims, harm to its own people, or an escalation on the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av). The organization “benefits” from Israel's contribution to the wellbeing of the Gaza population by their employment in Israel and the influx of Qatari money and construction materials into the Strip – this is the case until its cost-benefit considerations change.
3. Hamas continues to arm itself for the next campaign, which it knows will occur.
4. Hezbollah is watching and studying Israel's conduct in the context of possible escalation in September. This anticipates the big game and not the local skirmish in the south.
5. Hezbollah did not join Operation Guardian of the Walls with any evident drive and contented itself with a joint war room and the steady supply of intelligence to Hamas, while allowing Palestinian fire from Lebanon (it may still be doing so these days).
6. Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziad Nahala is in Iran. The Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon and Syria are monitoring the events carefully.
7. Iran is satisfied with the clash initiated by Islamic Jihad operatives on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza. It is also drawing conclusions for a possible future conflict between Israel and itself or Hezbollah.
8. The remarks by the Revolutionary Guards commander about Israel’s approaching end are connected to Nasrallah's dream described in a July 27 interview. For them, dream and reality often mix until they don't recognize the difference.