Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 19, 2009 Tevet 23, 5769 | | Israel Time: 12:39 (EST+7)
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ANALYSIS / Perhaps Israel should quit Gaza op while it's still ahead
By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff
Tags: Israel News, Gaza, Hamas, IDF

As the country waits for developments on the diplomatic front, the operation by the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip continues, even deepens. The terminology is reminiscent of the first Lebanon war, not just the second: The IDF is "tightening the siege" around Gaza City, which hosts most of the symbols of Hamas rule in the Strip. The operation's "third stage" (the occupation of extensive territory) still needs cabinet approval.

The methodical crawl into the Strip is, not for the first time, influenced by intelligence assessments. Someone - and we can safely assume the Shin Bet security service had something to do with it - has planted in the cabinet the idea that with just one more little push we can vanquish Hamas. This is yet another scenario whose end can be foretold - the takeover of territory that a week ago the government could not imagine the IDF would enter.


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However, contributing to the situation is a certain confusion about what is going on in Hamas. It's not just the facts that are unclear. When it is said that Hamas is interested in a cease-fire, the implication is not necessarily that the group is on the verge of collapse. The group is ready for a cease-fire but still on its own terms. At least last night it seemed that it is still willing to go on fighting if its conditions are not accepted.

The head of Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, told the cabinet Sunday of fissures in the Hamas leadership: The Gaza-based leaders, menaced by air attacks and tanks closing in, seek a compromise with Israel. The party's politburo in Damascus is sticking to a tougher line. Meanwhile, Haaretz has learned about significant differences of opinion within Hamas.

The Damascus-based leadership is sternly opposed to the deployment of an international military force, Arab or otherwise, on the Palestinian side of the border with Egypt. (Khaled Meshal went as far to describe such a force as an "occupying force.") On the other hand, the leaders in the Strip have informed their colleagues in Damascus that they do not oppose the presence of an international force.

For its part, Israel continues to step up the pressure. It may be that the delayed return of Amos Gilad, the Defense Ministry's political-security chief, to Cairo stems from a sense that a few more gains on the ground will strengthen Israel's hand.

The issue of smuggling is still the crux of the discussions. Israel, meanwhile, can pressure Hamas and Egypt by terrorizing the population. In Operation Accountability in 1993, the IDF rained 24,000 shells on southern Lebanon, driving 300,000 civilians toward Beirut. The chief of staff during that operation was Ehud Barak.

In the coming day or so, Hamas is expected to clarify its position on the Egyptian initiative. And while PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad pushed for the cease-fire resolution on Thursday, other senior PA officials are calling on Israel to take the battle to the end and topple Hamas rule.

Meanwhile, GOC Southern Command Yoav Galant is recommending the widening of Operation Cast Lead and says more time is needed before the pressure will bring results.

Defense Minister Barak expressed opposition to a long operation. In the ranks below Galant there is usually support for broadening an operation. But Sunday there were other voices, including that of a senior officer among the reservists. "We have exhausted this mission," he said. "It was an excellent exercise in calling up reserves and training, but the time has come to cut before things begin to get messy."

Whoever introduces brigades of reservists into the operation will surely weigh the damage to morale that pictures of dead and wounded reservists would cause. And the monopolistic hold on information will shatter once the reservists start sending home reports of the damage caused by the conscript units before them.

Related articles:
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  • Egypt: Hamas agrees that fighting in Gaza must end
  • IDF reservists deployed into Gaza for first time in ground op
  • Barak and Livni disagree with Olmert, want quick end to Gaza fighting
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      1.   Amos seems to be confirming the worse accusations.... 06:40  |  Johnboy 12/01/09
      2.   Our leaders 06:52  |  Palestinian 12/01/09
      3.   What Are You Talking About? 07:30  |  Yosemite 12/01/09
      4.   IDF withdrawal will be Israel`s inauguration gift to Obama 07:32  |  Voice of Reason 12/01/09
      5.   Youre clever voice of reason 08:13  |  so are you Palestini 12/01/09
      6.   Amos Harel as usual wants to take the `easy` way out. 08:18  |  redbourn 12/01/09
      7.   Have a go at hamas in damascus 08:25  |  thinking clearly 12/01/09
      8.   Hamas was the controlling authority in Gaza and determined ... 08:29  |  Jean Van Daem 12/01/09
      9.   Quitting while ahead 08:38  |  Edifice 12/01/09
      10.   You beat me to it Johnboy... 08:58  |  BBSNews 12/01/09
      11.   The interesting thing is: After this war Israel will be exactly 09:05  |  Andreas 12/01/09
      12.   No need to topple Hamas 09:06  |  Peter Williams 12/01/09
      13.   Too much munitions, not enough pressure 09:13  |  Bruce 12/01/09
      14.   Lesson from Lebanon Exit 09:22  |  Proud Israeli 12/01/09
      15.   To 2. Hamas must be topple. 09:33  |  Vital 12/01/09
      16.   The vioces of surrender 09:44  |  DT 12/01/09
      17.   Vanguish 09:57  |  Ken 12/01/09
      18.   The exact opposite must happen 10:13  |  Miriam 12/01/09
      19.   Nice shortsighted clouded view of terrorist philosophies. 10:16  |  David 12/01/09
      20.   UNRWA Should Withdraw 10:32  |  Mark of Lewiston 12/01/09
      21.   mandate of heaven 10:34  |  Janis 12/01/09
      22.   the failure of great milatary expert Johnboy 10:37  |  Aby 12/01/09
      23.   Analysis 10:47  |  Leon 12/01/09
      24.   Barak, Livny and company 11:21  |  robert 12/01/09
      25.   #2 Palestinian, Our Leaders 11:26  |  Another Palestinian 12/01/09
      26.   Stop immediately, try save your gains 11:57  |  H.H.M. 12/01/09
      27.   For once Israel should not quit 12:56  |  Zev 12/01/09
      28.   #25, Palestinain leaders 13:01  |  Bruce 12/01/09
      29.   AHEAD OF WHAT? 13:24  |  indrajaya 12/01/09
      30.   We can`t topple Hammas but we can deter a reoccurance 13:48  |  Mark Leaman 12/01/09
      31.   "Greater Israel is over." 14:36  |  Maureen Ann 12/01/09
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    Akiva Eldar: Obama mustn't let Israel kill and bleed all the way to an apartheid state
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