Hamas

Who's who in the race for Hamas' top political spot?
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak: Erdogan sees its relationship with Hamas through the lens of the 'good Muslim'

Hizbullah, Hamas Chiefs Discuss Israel-UAE Deal
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Ankara is trying to use its ally Hamas to get closer to Hizbullah, to increase its control over Lebanon.

How will Hamas respond to annexation?
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: Israel can handle any of the aftershocks.

This paper reviews the responses of Middle Eastern countries to the spread of the coronavirus and highlights diplomatic and defense implications stemming from the situation. The assessment of JISS fellows is that the coronavirus crisis will not fundamentally change power dynamics in the region or alter the prevailing ambitions and policies of key countries.

What Happens When Hezbollah Seeks a Similar Arrangement of Quiet for Cash?

Israel’s Struggle against Hamas’s Indirect Approach

Escalating tensions with Iran should be a warning that Tehran’s strategy of training and arming proxy terror groups throughout the Middle East is not being countered aggressively enough.

Will Israel launch a military ground operation in Gaza?
Prof. Efraim Inbar: A large-scale invasion is inevitable.

Neglecting IDF ground maneuver capabilities is a dangerous gamble.

Iran Increases Hamas Funding in Exchange for Intel on Israel Missiles.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Tehran asked Hamas to provide intelligence on the locations of Israeli missile stockpiles in exchange for the funding.

Is it time for the IDF to inflict ‘massive damage’ on Hamas?
Prof. Inbar: The IDF concept of using accurate intelligence for pinpoint airstrikes has proven deficient. A land incursion may be needed to convince Israel’s enemies that we are ready to pay a price in casualties in order to secure the well-being of our citizens.

The notion that Hamas could be incentivised by the injection of funds from Qatar has proven erroneous or deeply problematic.

It is in Israel's interest to solidify the Egyptian role in Gaza, in the context of "conflict management" as a governing policy concept. Egyptian participation in the efforts to stabilize the situation in Gaza serves as an important component in the vital Egypt-Israel relationship. It also helps erode Hamas' pretensions of Jihad.

Does Hamas see Israel’s deterrence waning?
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Deterrence is a tricky notion. Dr. Eran Lerman: Hamas is irritating us in order to obtain certain limited gains through the negotiating process.

Gaza rocket hits Israeli home injuring seven; Netanyahu cuts short Washington trip.
Dr. Eran Lerman of JISS: “When there was intensive rocket fire on the southern area that borders Gaza, Israel found a workable modus vivendi, involving transfer of Qatari money to Hamas. If Netanyahu now reacts aggressively, then people will say the blood of those in the center of the country is thicker than in the south. If he does not respond, then he’ll be criticized for not doing anything in the face of brazen provocation.”

Political Dynamics Raise Risk for Israel-Hamas Clash.
Dr. Eran Lerman of JISS: “The anti-Hamas demonstrations that indicate a level of frustration and anger not seen before. (The missile fire on Israel) is a familiar tactic to refocus the tension on the real enemy.”

The IDF's response will be harsher than usual, not because Israelis in the center are more valued than those in the periphery but because of the emerging need to show Hamas that it has grossly misjudged.

Rocket From Gaza Hits Israel, Prompting Netanyahu to Curtail U.S. Trip.
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman of JISS: Hamas is playing with fire.

CAN HAMAS ROCKETS THREATEN BEN-GURION AIRPORT FLIGHTS?
Uzi Rubin: Even if Hamas’s chances of hitting an aircraft or the airport are low, they cannot just be summarily dismissed.

How Hamas Brought Israel to the Brink of Election Chaos.
Dr. Eran Lerman: Lieberman was isolated by the rest of Netanyahu’s security cabinet, which supported the ceasefire.

Is the situation with Gaza ‘the problem from hell?’
Prof. Efraim Inbar: We cannot trust Hamas to keep the calm. Only when Hamas is afraid of IDF retaliation, which has yet to come, will calm prevail. General Amidror: A war in Gaza will only benefit PA leader Mahmoud Abbas and Iran. And we don’t want to give Iran any gifts.

The challenge now is how to make it clear to the Hamas leadership that it should not believe is own supercilious words.

Only a crushing and devastating blow to Hamas will pave the way for a truce that would not be a victory for the terrorists.

Reducing enemy capabilities and ambitions in Gaza requires Israeli military readiness and government willingness to use force intermittingly, while maintaining a healthy and resilient Israeli home front.

Although Hamas' cyber capabilities do not now constitute a serious threat to Israel, this reality can quickly change in view of the rapid pace of technological progress.

Ex-IDF Deputy Chief at JISS: Gaza-West Bank Split Good for Israeli Security.

Tunnel Warfare with Hamas: Past, Present, Future. Comment by Gen. Amidror: The IDF will need to continue to update and adapt its tactics for combating the tunnel threat.

It makes no sense to return the bodies of Hamas terrorists killed in a tunnel strike without Hamas giving us something in exchange.

Only a showdown can decide between Hamas and Fatah rule, with one side totally victorious and the other totally defeated, and it is doubtful that Fatah can muster the strength to make a bid for true power in Gaza.

A Fatah-Hamas reconciliation is promising for the Palestinian people, but it cannot come at Israel's expense.