'Gaza pullout proved strategically sound'
IDF Southern Command gears for change as current GOC Yoav Galant makes way for incoming chief, Maj.-Gen. Tal Russo. Military source says Hamas realized attempting to abduct soldiers will carry hefty price; adds disengagement aided in sector's defense
GCO Southern Command is gearing for a change in leadership and possibly in policy: "Hamas is unlikely to initiate a confrontation with the IDF unless it can stage an event whose results would give it a clear advantage, such as an abduction," a senior IDF source said Sunday.
"We have to make it absolutely clear that will not abide such actions, and that any such incident will result in significant retaliation," he added.
Related stories:
- Ready, aim, seek legal counsel
The statement was made against the backdrop of the nearing change at the GCO Southern Command, which will see current Southern Command Chief and IDF Chief-designate Yoav Galant hand the sector's reins to his successor, Major-General Tal Russo.
Galant will spend the next few months preparing for his new duties, and is expected to take over form IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi in February 2011.
Speaking of the Israel Defense Forces retaliation policy in cases involving abductions or attempted abductions, the senior officer said that any such attempt would call for a harsh military response.
"You cannot ignore the fact that a tepid response to any such incident may lead to the next one. Any attempt, even a failed one, must come with a price," he said, hinting to several past failed kidnapping attempts which met moderate responses.
'It's very complex sector, but we're ready.' Gaza Border (Archives: AFP)
Operational outlook
Fighting Hamas, continued the source, is getting tactically difficult, as the Islamic group now has a greater amount of weapons. IDF situation assessment and strategizing also consider possible fire on the home front, as well as operational consequences the likes of the Goldstone Report."Our plan for the next conflict is entirely different than what we have seen to date. As far as military intelligence goes we're doing well, but we always inspire to do better. This is a very complex sector, but we're ready."
As Galant's term as GCO Southern Command draws to an end, the effects of Operation Cast Lead on Gaza-emanating rocket fire are clear: Some 277 rockets have been fired at Israel in 2010, compared to 3,276 in 2008 and 2,500 in 2007.
Nevertheless, and despite the relative calm in the Gaza vicinity communities, the Gaza border continues to be a hub of terror activity, as 50 terrorists were killed in border and border-adjacent incidents in 2010, compared to 389 in 2009.
As for targeting senior Hamas members during the 2009 Gaza campaign, the senior source said that, "Targeting senior operatives has operational and psychological importance, but you can never achieve everything in war." He did, however, hint that some of those spared in the past may be targeted in the future.
Looking back at the Gaza disengagement, the officer said that, "Since security forces left Gaza Strip, it is militarily easier to defend the area – a straight line with no enclaves makes for a simpler operational mission"; thus proving it strategically sound.
Still, he qualified, had the IDF remained in Gaza, Hamas' empowerment may have been more gradual, but the group still would have been able to amplify its weapons capability to its current statues, albeit more slowly.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
