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Ron Ben-Yishai

Rules of the game

Hamas tries to 'heat up' Gaza area without giving IDF pretext for broad operation

Hamas in Gaza is frustrated by three things. First, the fact that they have been unable to achieve the calm they desperately need with Israel, even with Egypt's help; second, their inability to gain the release of prisoners 'with blood on their hands' because the Shalit deal has come to a standstill; and third, the recent IDF operations that left them with many casualties on their hands.

 

Hamas has tried to 'heat up' the region in every possible way, but to their dismay they have failed to engage the IDF in an extensive operation in Gaza. Their solution: The launching of terror attacks across the fence, using different organizations not directly connected to the formal regime in Gaza, such as Islamic Jihad, Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), and Fatah. Operations carried out by these organizations conform to the unwritten 'rules of the game' in the ongoing fight between the two sides.

 

Israel, also interested in achieving calm, accepts the rules. Almost every night – including Tuesday night, during which an Egoz soldier was killed – IDF forces operate up to three kilometers inside Gaza, while the small Palestinian organizations execute cross-fence terror attacks – such as the shooting at Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter and the terror attack in Nahal Oz.

 

Since Hamas' takeover in Gaza, the border crossings, which used to be operated by joint teams of Israelis and Palestinians, have been separated to form an Israeli side and a Palestinian side. Trucks loaded with cargo are first checked on the Israeli side, and then driven to the Palestinian side, where they are unloaded under Israeli supervision. Finally, they are driven back to the Israeli side, where they are checked once more.

 

The proximity between the two sides renders the crossing easily accessible because of the constant traffic, and it would also be relatively easy to dig a tunnel from the Palestinian side to the Israeli side. The distance is short, and the commotion on the Palestinian side would hide the digging. The Israeli side could also be infiltrated by anyone willing to run across and climb the blockade guarding the post. This is true for the Nahal Oz, Karni, Sufa, and Kerem Shalom crossings.

 

Playing dirty

Though it goes against their interests, Palestinians fire at the crossings simply because they are an easy target, and Hamas can always shirk responsibility while it continues to complain about Israel's refusal to provide Gaza with supplies. Hamas, playing dirty, doesn't take responsibility for the terror attacks, and surprisingly rakes in success in the international arena.

 

The terror attack in Nahal Oz fuel terminal on Wednesday was in retaliation for the IDF operations in Gaza, by Hamas and other Gazan organizations. It is likely that Israel's government will have no choice but to proceed with operations in Gaza, something that the IDF has been avoiding, or limiting to harming those responsible for Qassam fire. Now it appears that the IDF will escalate its aerial strikes, and the small Gazan organizations will probably escalate Qassam fire on their side. Hamas, in any case, is still aiming to achieve calm.

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.09.08, 18:35
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