Strategic Assessment

Over the past decade, the Israeli government’s expectations of the disengagement from the Gaza Strip in both the security and political spheres proved unfounded. This is made clear by a comparison between the Sharon government’s explanation of its decision on the disengagement plan and a review of what unfolded since the disengagement. Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, but in actuality, the Gaza Strip remained linked to Israel and has constituted a heavy security and political burden, as highlighted by Operation Protective Edge in 2014. The results of the disengagement also call into question the common assumption that the IDF can provide suitable defense for Israel from any line to which the state might decide to withdraw, and increases doubt whether a future unilateral measure in the West Bank would be worthwhile.