Lessons of the Gaza War

The IDF’s defensive achievements against Hamas in the most recent war were groundbreaking. Yet for all its operational superiority, it will have a hard time defending Israel within the 1967 borders, especially in the event of a multi-arena conflict.

Can Hamas, an Iranian Proxy, Be Deterred?

Ofira Seliktar
May 31, 2021
Paper No. 2058

The question of how to deter Hamas from starting another conflict has dominated recent discourse. Most observers ignore the fact that the terror group is an Iranian proxy, meaning it presents unique challenges to deterrence.

The Strategic Genius Behind Allowing Qatari Suitcases of Cash into Gaza

Qatar and Hamas were duped when, on the fourth day of the Guardian of the Walls offensive, Israel destroyed the Qataris’ billion-dollar investment in the terrorist organization in 40 minutes. The question is, can Israel leverage this success into disarming Hamas? It all depends on the resolve of Israel’s leadership.

Figuring Out Hamas’s Strategy

Israel largely achieved its military objectives in its recent war with Hamas, but the terror organization managed to achieve its political objectives despite its massive losses. This is only the beginning of a Hamas campaign to establish itself as the standard bearer for all Palestinians, including Israel’s Arab citizens.

Hamas Has Lost Its Gaza Constituency

Gaza residents refused to join Yahya Sinwar in celebrating Hamas’s “victory” in the recent clash with Israel: first, because they do not like being the human shields from behind whom Hamas launches its missiles; and second, because they are tired of being the only Palestinians to suffer 95% of the brunt of fighting that gets them no closer to “liberating” Jerusalem.

Operation Guardian of the Walls: Tactical Victory, Strategic Defeat

Dr. Doron Matza
May 25, 2021
Paper No. 2048

Israel ended the war in Gaza with impressive tactical achievements but in a position of great strategic inferiority. The outcome recalls America’s quantitative achievements in the Vietnam War alongside its strategic defeat in that conflict.

The Systemic Failure of Israeli Public Diplomacy

Israel has not yet internalized the full value of either dynamic public diplomacy or sophisticated psychological warfare. Because revitalization of the country’s public diplomacy bodies is highly unlikely in a system in which those bodies are dispersed among multiple ministerial and security frameworks, the public diplomacy system should be privatized.

Hamas’s Relentless Jihad

While many in the West were quick to condemn Israel for its response to Hamas’s attacks on its population centers, they must face up to the fact that there is no difference between the Islamist terror organization’s commitment to Israel’s destruction and its plans for the West. As its long-time leader Khaled Mash’al warned the Western nations amidst the world crisis over the satirical depictions of Muhammad in a Danish newspaper: “By Allah, you will be defeated... Tomorrow we will lead the world, Allah willing.”

“Hamas Achieved Nothing but Ruining Gaza”

Yaakov Lappin
May 20, 2021
Paper No. 2040

Though firing over 3,500 rockets and missiles at Israeli cities, towns, and villages, more than it did during the 51-day conflict in 2014, Hamas’ military infrastructure has suffered massive damage that will set back the terrorist organization a number of years, according to Israeli estimates.

Will Violence Erupt If Abbas Cancels the Palestinian Elections?

Hamas and others are threatening violence if Mahmoud Abbas cancels the elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council scheduled for May 22. However, Google Trends data on the declining popularity of both Hamas and Fatah suggest that an eruption of violence is unlikely.