Publications
Military and Strategic Affairs, Volume 7, No. 2, September 2015
Operation Protective Edge (July 7-August 26, 2014) was the longest and most complex military challenge in a continuing cycle of violence between the State of Israel and Hamas since the organization’s inception in 1987. It is still too early to assess the achievements and the results of the military campaign, which are still not sufficiently clear for either side, and to determine whether Israel succeeded in achieving its primary aim of establishing longterm deterrence. Throughout the campaign, Hamas used all its capabilities, employing numerous types of weaponry and diverse methods of warfare from the outset. These included rocket fire (short-range, medium-range, and long-range) into Israel; the use of underground tunnels to carry out attacks infiltrating into Israeli territory and to support Hamas’ infrastructure throughout the Gaza Strip; the employment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones); maritime infiltration attempts by commando forces; urban warfare; and more. Hamas learns from every confrontation or round of warfare with Israel, effectively implementing the results in its methods of operation during each new round of fighting. Hamas learns first and foremost from its own experience on the battlefield, but also from other terrorist organizations
The opinions expressed in INSS publications are the authors’ alone.