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Source: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3391829,00.html
No Gaza Operation for Now
[Ynet News] Ron Ben-Yishai - Hamas' Independence Day attack was a highly calculated strategic move meant to achieve far-reaching military and diplomatic objectives, based on the Hizbullah model of July 12, 2006, when two IDF soldiers were kidnapped. The objective was to fan the flames of conflict in Gaza in order to create a new situation whereby Israel agrees to end its counter-terror operations in the West Bank. At the same time, since no soldiers were abducted and there were no casualties on our side, Israel would find it difficult to enlist international support and silent agreement by moderate Arab leaders for a wide-scale Gaza operation. The Independence Day offensive was a Hamas initiative undertaken without any substantive cause in order to undermine diplomatic peace efforts. The IDF is able and ready to carry out a wide-scale operation in Gaza even today, but this must be done under circumstances that would ensure its success.