Hamas

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.

The resumption of diplomatic relations with Ankara is cause for celebration, but while Erdogan is in power, his country will stay hostile to Israel and back Hamas

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?

Security expert: Hamas wants repeat of last May's war with Israel

Making connections between Hamas, UAE, Sheikh Jarrah and Israel-Turkey

The Hamas takeover of Gaza killed the two-state solution

The Hamas takeover of Gaza killed the two-state solution

The American pressure against the Atarot housing project north of Jerusalem was likely meant to maintain the possibility of a two-state solution.

Israel wants Erdogan to act on Hamas

Israel's FM Lapid: Hamas offices in Istambul must be shutdown
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

Interview with Olivier Rafowicz on Iron Dome shooting down Hamas drone

On Qatari aid to Hamas in the Gaza Strip
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

Briefing by Dr. Uzi Rubin, Thursday, July 29, 2021

Turkey’s empty charm offensive
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak: Unless it is backed with tangible steps—like putting an end to Ankara’s support to Hamas—the realization of a genuine normalization will not be achieved.

On Israel-Hamas truce negotiations
Interview with Dr. Eran Lerman

Frustrated by Israel’s Refusal to Allow Qatari Cash Into Gaza, Hamas Threatens Violence
Col. Eran Lerman: New Israeli government has a different strategy for dealing with Hamas, and as things stand it will not allow suitcases of Qatari cash to enter Gaza.

There are plenty of nice plans for Gaza, but none that will change the core truth: Hamas will continue to seek Israel’s destruction, and Israel will continue to defend itself.

On Hamas demands and Israel’s response
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar 

If three core principles are maintained.

Hamas’ Tunnel Apparatus Set Back Years, Israel Says
Dr. Yagil Henkin: Hamas will diversify its tactics further: Immerse its people even more within the civilian population, step up its rocket firing from buildings, launch explosive drones, and more.

Can Hamas and Iran claim victory in Gaza?
Interview with Miki Aharonson

Insights on the Hamas-Israel conflict
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

Since war is about inflicting pain and sustaining pain, Israel clearly can be declared the winner of the recent confrontation.

As ever, Iran prefers to avoid direct involvement. But without its backing, support and expertise, the latest Hamas offensive against Israel would have been inconceivable.

On the Israel-Hamas War
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

On the Israel-Hamas War
Interview with Dr. Eran Lerman

On Hamas’ use of human shields
Interview with Dr. Emmanuel Navon

Gaza-Israel conflict shakes foundations of Middle East coexistence
Prof. Efraim Inbar: This unrest inside Israel comes at a time when, for the first time in the political history of Israel, an Arab party was ready to join a government coalition. But now this possibility is over.

‘Bloodthirsty’ Arab mobs wreak havoc across Israel, but experts believe they are a minority
Dr. David Koren: Most eastern Jerusalem Arabs “still seek greater integration into the broader Israeli-Jewish Jerusalem envelope of higher education and gainful employment. For this purpose, they generally are willing to behave moderately.

French Response to the Israel-Hamas Conflict
Interview with Dr. Emmanuel Navon (French)

The Mistakes Made by Hamas
Interview with Dr. Emmanuel Navon

If current Mideast violence a test, some experts say Biden is failing
Prof. Efraim Inbar: How long will it take the progressives to affect the Biden administration?

Why can’t Netanyahu free Israelis from Gaza as easily as from Syria?
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: Russian President Putin has strong relationships with both Netanyahu and Syrian President Assad, whereas Hamas has unrealistic demands.

Arabs states draw closer to Israel to counter non-Arab powers Turkey and Iran
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak: Almost in every theater, Turkey, Qatar and Hamas are challenging the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Hizb ut-Tahrir wants a caliphate, and sees even Hamas as a target
Dr. David Koren: The influence of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria is much wider than it appears.

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.