One of the most difficult wars in Israel’s history was the War of Attrition, which began in March 1969 and ended in August 1970. This war along our border with Egypt primarily involved the Egyptian army’s artillery corps and Israeli soldiers entrenched in strongholds along the Suez Canal. The war cost 968 Israeli lives, with more than 3,000 wounded, and deeply damaged Israeli citizens’ morale. The War of Attrition also gave rise to a sense of alienation in Israeli society, creating the saying, “Tel Aviv’s lights shine while the canal burns.”
The War of Attrition was never decisively won, and some view it as a precursor to the Yom Kippur War three years later. The latter war was an awful one that cost many lives and led Israeli society to lose its sense of existential security for many years to come.
The rocket fire taking place in Israel’s south very much calls to mind the War of Attrition. But rather than soldiers in defended strongholds, the people on the front lines are innocent civilians with mere seconds to seek cover from the rockets. The rocket fire disrupts daily life, creates panic in children and hurts the economy. It is difficult to bear.
The recurrent rounds of fighting between Gaza terrorists, under the auspices of Hamas, and the Israel Defense Forces have been going on for years. Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009 helped for a short time, but because historic memory is short, our deterrence has been lost. The rocket fire has returned, followed by Egyptian mediation, but in the near future we are sure to experience another round, and once again the IDF will have to embark on a large-scale military operation in Gaza. Any intelligent person realizes that you cannot conduct a prolonged war of attrition at civilians’ expense.
There is no question that the IDF has the operational ability to stop the rocket fire from Gaza. The present flare-up has proved beyond a doubt that Israel’s intelligence capabilities are very impressive. Every motorcycle-riding terrorist in Gaza is under Israeli surveillance. Despite this, Israel’s government has refrained from ordering a military operation and has sufficed with defensive systems that have proved their effectiveness in recent days.
To understand the logic behind Israel’s restraint, we must examine the alternative to Hamas rule in Gaza. If the state of Israel causes the downfall of Hamas, current international conditions dictate that Mahmoud Abbas will be made ruler of Gaza. The result would be enormous international pressure on Israel to accept a Palestinian state in Gaza, Judea and Samaria. There is no doubt that a unified Palestinian state constitutes a greater danger than two separate entities, one run by overt terrorists against whom the IDF has free rein and the second run by clandestine terrorists who have at this point demonstrated an ability to control Judea and Samaria. This ability allows the state of Israel to expand settlements in Judea and Samaria and strengthen our hold on our historic homeland.
The Middle East has a logic of its own, a logic that is not always easy to understand, but nothing in the Holy Land is simple. Paradoxically, Hamas control of Gaza enables continued construction and settlement in Judea and Samaria. So before we embark on a large-scale military operation in Gaza, we need to think about the consequences. Still, the IDF must do everything in its power to minimize damage from the rocket fire. Nevertheless, there is a range of actions that can be undertaken without removing Hamas from power.
Yidvocate ought to think before he writes. To suggest that the entire world has contempt for Israel is simply untrue. The power of the IDF is recognised and also that it is not exercised on every occasion when it might be. Those who know respect Israel – many admire her.
Shine’s reasoning is compelling and may well be a correct analysis of the situation.
All in good time. Did you read the article?
Look again:
It’s about timing.
Yes, but He didn’t order Abraham to roll in with guns blazing to take Beersheva & Mt Moriah & the Makhpela.
He didn’t just say, ‘Okay pal, it’s all yours, snatch it up anyway you can, any time you can.’
If He gives a promise or an order, He will show — in His own time — HOW it’s to be accomplished.
I wonder how all those naive, stupid supporters of the Gaza giveaway feel now? People with sense recognized it as insanity (and also treason under Israeli law, which defines giving away any part of the Land of Israel as treason).
Very good analysis !
Gaza ruled by Hamas could become Israels trump card…just cede sovereignity to Hamas and give them Gaza…that entity will immediately become “free Palestine” and all future “peace talks” will have to be conducted with Hamas…the Palestine problem will then change from an international to a bilateral affair !
The international propaganda will be weakened decisively and then Judea and Samaria must be annexed…
Israeli policy for a long time has been the reverse of Teddy Roosevelt’s speak softly and carry a big stick. It’s been speak strongly and carry a weak stick. When will the Israeli leadership get it? The world will never love Israel but it might regain its respect for Israel when Israel stops trying to appease its enemies.
It appears that maintaining hamas is exactly the policy of Israel. I have always wondered how these rockets fired rarely, not always,killed anyone. Perhaps it is based on the age old tactic of stalling learned from 2000 years of jew killing. Perhaps this tactic has run its course; perhaps Israel should repudiate the old paradigms of accepting the land swindles and begin to seize territories and assets from those that have financed terror against the Jews and Israel. Maintaining the military machine in cautious defense brings no new resources but seizing the saudi oilfields would change the whole picture. Is it moral and legal persuasion that makes the wold live with China’s seizing of Tibet? I think not, a “reason” is given then it is seized and the world falls into line. the same would be true of seizing the saudi fields. It might make oilflows more stable. Israel could overlook Iran taking Iraq in return. Something like the Yalta conference.
Israel must take back Sinai Jordan and gaza. Expel all Muslims. Then they can have security if not peace and wars they can win as they need to do so. That land is theirs anyway because the God of Abraham said so.
AKA the Terrorist ceasefire AKA ‘Our last territorial demand is the next one’
Yeah yeah, don’t fight back , you might get hurt.
Basic bleeding heart leftist aggression challenged Putz BS.
Wipe them out, Then wipe out the next set of SOB’s.
Take on the creeps one problem at a time but them moment you start compromising, backing down and allowing them to exist they know they are winning.
Never retreat, never surrender.
No tolerance for intolerance, no tolerance for the enemy.
War is waged against civilian populations – it always has been and that’s how wars are won. So toughen up!
…
Don’t compromise with terrorism or tyranny.
If you don’t wipe them out, they will get stronger and find a way to wipe you out.
That’s Basic Smarts 101 since the beginning of time.
I agree. Its time COGAT was shut down. Israel is under no obligation to provide for the Arabs’ needs. Its criminal, stupid and senseless for Israel to supply a hostile enemy population when its under attack. Israel should not be in the position of taking care of its enemies! That should be theirs – and Egypt’s responsibility. And its an unconscionable abuse of Israeli taxpayers. Israel’s sole obligation should be to look after its own citizens, period.
Imagine if in March of 1969, Israel could render the Egyptian army’s ammunition inoperative. Well that’s exactly the capability Israel has had with Hamas since 2005 and 10,000+ rockets later has failed to do. Simply turning off the electricity, water and “humanitarian” aid would have brought the rockets to a screeching halt. So I have very little sympathy for the pathetic state of the Jewish state. This is self-imposed punishment. No wonder the entire world has nothing but disdain for Israel. The government’s primary function is to safeguard the lives of it’s citizens and it has been an abject failure in this regard. In fact if prefers the lives of it’s implacable enemies to it’s own sons and daughters. Contempt and disgust is what it gets and is what it deserves.