Podcasts

Prof. Kobi Michael and Yohanan Tzoreff, researchers in the INSS program on the Palestinian issue, discuss the escalation that began following the death of a Palestinian security prisoner who was on a hunger strike (and according to his wife, “wanted to die”). The escalation continued over the course of a day with rocket fire at Israel’s southern towns and cities and IDF strikes on targets in Gaza, and ended with a ceasefire. Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced a victory for the resistance, and declared that while the round was over, the campaign would continue. Why is Hamas allowed to set the rules of the game while Israel remains without creativity and initiative? Does this represent the lack of a strategic plan by the government, or are there other elements at work not plainly visible?

Orna Mizrahi, a senior research fellow at INSS, and Yoram Schweitzer, head of the INSS Program on Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict, discuss the growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as the implications of the massive blast at the port of Beirut on Lebanon and on the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. What are the reasons for the current tension along Israel’s northern border? What are the interests of the respective actors? How does the situation in Lebanon, especially the latest disaster in Beirut, affect Hezbollah’s calculations and behavior?