The blockade of the Gaza Strip, labeled by the Palestinians as a “siege,” is ostensibly one of the fundamental reasons behind Hamas’ barrage of rockets that led to Operation Protective Edge. Yet while the Palestinians claim that Israel’s purpose in imposing the “siege” is to overpower Gaza economically, this charge has no basis in reality. Rather, the terrorism emanating from the Gaza Strip is the root cause of Gaza’s abject economic state, and until it is eradicated from the area, the prospects for economic growth and development...
Operation Protective Edge is the third large scale operation that Israel has undertaken since the disengagement from Gaza in 2005 in an effort to strengthen deterrence and restore quiet to the communities in southern Israel and the cities to their north. The images fixed in the minds of millions around the world are the difficult pictures from the fighting in Gaza – in the vast majority of cases, in harsh and biased coverage. Thus while in the short run relative peace and quiet may be obtained, in the long run, for every such...
The economic reality in the Gaza Strip, which was in a state of crisis long before Operation Protective Edge, has deteriorated even further. Israel has an interest in working for the rapid reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, even though the image of an unrealized military achievement discourages Israel from enlisting in the reconstruction process, which will be seen as a strategic achievement for Hamas. Basic reconstruction of the Gaza Strip is also a vital element for the Palestinian state building process, and is an important lever...
The indiscriminate rocket and missile fire at cities in Israel, the discovery of tunnels posing a grave threat to the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip, the fact that the Israeli government showed restraint and repeated willingness to accept a ceasefire in the middle of the conflict, and the broad support for Israel in both the Congress and among US public opinion led the Obama administration to support steadfastly, continuously, and unequivocally Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. At the same time, the...
There are at least two conflicting points of view on the latest campaign in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The picture that was painted clearly in the Israeli media highlights the just nature of Operation Protective Edge, Israel’s victory, and Israel’s goal to translate the military achievements into political achievements. In contrast, Hamas – at least at this stage – views what it achieved in the campaign in context of its poor situation prior to the campaign that in effect prompted it to initiate this round...
Even in changing regional circumstances, Hamas has consistently demonstrated resolute persistence in its struggle against Israel. The economics of the Gaza Strip has been a critical element in the events of the past month, and therefore, it is likewise a crucial piece of any lasting resolution. A fundamental change in the economic situation means a real improvement, not just the siege lifted and some border crossings opened. New international mechanisms, not under Hamas or Israel auspices, must be established to implement the change....
The two major options facing the Israeli government for ending the campaign in Gaza are an arrangement involving the international system and a unilateral announcement that the operation is over, followed by the withdrawal of troops. While each alternative has its respective advantages and drawbacks, overall it seems that a multilateral rather than unilateral arrangement is preferable. An agreement within an international system would force Israel to confront some of Hamas’ demands. One of the difficulties Israel will have to...
Hamas’ flagrant violation of the ceasefire on August 1, 2014 enabled Israel to change its strategic position and choose an alternative that, at least in the short term, places Hamas in a difficult strategic situation. Israel regained international legitimacy for its actions; Hamas was again cast as a terrorist organization lacking all credibility that for the sixth time violated a ceasefire that Egypt and the international community initiated and Israel accepted. Changing strategic course, Israel decided to deny Hamas veto power...
In the course of Operation Protective Edge, Hamas used several media to disseminate propaganda, including al-Aqsa and al-Jazeera television, websites, Facebook pages, and text messages. These have served as a platform for messages to four target audiences: an internal Palestinian audience, an Arab audience, an international audience, and an Israeli audience. Indeed, the struggle for public opinion plays an important role in efforts by Hamas to mobilize domestic, Arab, and international support for its actions, shape awareness of the...
The Israeli public continues to meet the severe challenges of Operation Protective Edge in an outstanding manner. It provides the necessary support for the political and military moves, and has demonstrated a high level of societal resilience. This has been manifested primarily in maintaining an appropriate level of functional continuity in the framework of the emergency routine, including in the center of the country, which was previously not exposed in such a manner to repeated attacks. Yet despite the justified satisfaction from...
Despite the limited objectives the Israeli government presented at the outset of Operation Protective Edge, the conditions are ripe for shaping a new strategic reality in the Gaza Strip. To this end, the Israeli government must take the interests of the United States and Egypt into consideration and both commit itself and mobilize regional and international players in a US-led political initiative of “reconstruction for demilitarization.” The Israeli government must understand that the conditions have changed so that there is an...
In contrast to the clichéd statement that there is no military solution to terrorism, Israel has proven it can solve systemic terrorist threats against it militarily. Nonetheless, the political solution is always to be preferred. The long term political solution for Gaza is the continued weakening of Hamas – economically, politically, and militarily – and the creation of better political alternatives for both the Palestinians and Israel. Over the last two years, Hamas has been politically and financially weakened. If, after Operation...
