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Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=9067
Ground Operation Necessary
(Israel Hayom) Maj. Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan - A mere year and a half after Operation Pillar of Defense, we now, unsurprisingly, find ourselves facing another "round" of terrorist rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. The range of the rockets has expanded, with more than half of Israel's population now under threat. This time, a lesson must be taught. "Returning the quiet" will not be enough. We must change the current situation, in which a terrorist group can shower rockets on a strong country like Israel. The purposes of Operation Protective Edge must be defined precisely: the toppling of the Hamas regime and the elimination of all rockets in Gaza. Is it possible to defeat a terrorist group? Can these objectives be achieved using military force? The answer to both questions is yes. Will this require a ground operation? Will such an operation involve the loss of troops? Yes and yes. Every military commander knows the challenge is to fulfill the mission and protect soldiers, in that order. Israel has a national need, a mandate from the people and a strong military. Now we need to win -- to topple the Hamas regime and cleanse Gaza of rockets.