Crack down on Gaza now -Efraim Inbar[R]ocket attacks [from Gaza] have intensified, and work continues on extending the range of the rocket[s]. Infiltration attempts by terrorists into Israel have also grown.
While Israel has recently become slightly more active militarily in the Strip, it still shows unnecessary restraint. The fears that a large-scale ground attack in Gaza might be costly in casualties are exaggerated. It's an assumption which needs reassessment. Similar arguments were voiced against a large-scale invasion of Judea and Samaria before Operation Defensive Shield in 2002, and they were proven wrong.
Gaza has yet to be subjected to [serious] military treatment, and this is why the level of violence emanating from Gaza is so high. Moreover, delay in addressing the Hamas challenge might prove more costly in the future, as our experience with Hizbullah in Lebanon has clearly shown.
Strategically, Israel's reluctance to commit troops in battle to deal with Hamas aggression signals weakness. The widespread perception within the Arab world that Israeli society is extremely sensitive to the loss of human life invites enemy violence.
Palestinian dependence on Israel for electricity and water supply should be capitalized on to impress upon the Palestinians that reciprocity is the name of the game...
International law permits a military response, including artillery, aimed at the sources of fire, even if the fire is coming from urban areas. Israel should not hesitate to create a refugee wave by warning about impending fire on residential areas. Such tactics may result in a degree of Palestinian restraint.
[T]he international atmosphere is very conducive to an Israeli strike on Hamas-controlled Gaza... Moreover, if the West is serious about establishing a united front against Iran, Gaza is a good place to start.
Reoccupation of Gaza is not recommended. Israel's goal should be merely defensive - to destroy Gazan capabilities to harm Israel. This means our temporary presence in all places where such capabilities are developed; their destruction and, after the evacuation of Gaza, systematic surgical strikes against reemerging terrorist cells.
The writer is professor of political studies at Bar-Ilan University and the director of the Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies.
[Jerusalem Post]
1 comment:
Needs to be carefully reviewed before such aggressive actions are taken, but on the face of it seems well reasoned and full of reasonable actions, at least for the most part.
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