Gaza

Operation Shield and Arrow

Operation Shield and Arrow: Israel must continue creative offensive

With Operation Shield and Arrow in Gaza over, Israel must again focus on the challenge of Iran as a top priority. Given the urgency, now conveyed even by the US administration, the government must accelerate efforts to derail Tehran’s nuclear project. It is not the time to seek a defeat of Hamas or the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, but rather a continuation of conflict management. Israel should restore (albeit not fully trust) security cooperation with Ramallah, in the context of the process launched in Aqaba in late February; and in Gaza, to drive further the decoupling of Palestinian

Hamas Will Determine the Scale of Expected Escalation Between Israel, Islamic Jihad

Netanyahu has developed an explicit doctrine of war avoidance in preparation for total war should Iran achieve nuclear breakout. That explains his many concessions on the Palestinian and Lebanese fronts. Paradoxically, Iran is on the same wavelength in bolstering the missile siege around Israel. Will Netanyahu be flexible to change the doctrine in the event the missile siege around Israel becomes more threatening than the Iranian nuclear threat?

The idea that a Jewish and a Palestinian state will coexist peacefully is widespread in contemporary academic and political circles but ignores the reality on the ground.

Operation “Breaking Dawn” achieved its military and political goals. But it also demonstrated the neck to neck race between the growth rate of the Palestinian’s rocket capabilities and Israel’s defensive capabilities. Israel should prepare for a situation where the current configuration of missile defense will not be sufficient to contain the rocket offensive.

The IDF, police, and other security forces must grasp that modern conflicts lack a distinct frontier. The frontline may simultaneously be inside and outside the country.

Israel's decision to launch a preemptive military operation in the Gaza Strip only because of threats against it sent a deterrence message to Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and even Hezbollah. The operation significantly damaged the organizational and military capabilities of Islamic Jihad. Still, Israel should have continued extensively damaging the organization's military infrastructure.

What are the implications, consequences of Israel's Gaza operation?