Why Does Israel Allow Hamas to Determine the Rules of the Game? Podcast on the Events in Gaza

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?