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The Iranian Role in the 2012 Gaza Conflict

(Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Michael Segall - Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza constituted a microcosm of the changes reshaping the Middle East. During the fighting, Iran took pains to highlight its own supply of weapons and means of manufacturing them to the Palestinians - in particular the Fajr-5 that was fired at Tel Aviv - contrasting the feebleness of the Arabs with its own potency. Iran also sought to boost its status as the actor that no longer fears Israel and the Western powers. Egypt, playing a central role in determining the new regional order, will likely find itself in confrontation with Iran. Turkey is already confronting Iran, with Syria as a front line. Iran's ongoing attempts to win the hearts and minds of the Arab street are failing due to its role in militarily supporting the repressive Assad regime. The profound gaps between Arabs and Persians, Sunnis and Shiites, only grow deeper as the threat from Iran mounts. The Fars News Agency, associated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards, reported that the homes and offices of senior Hamas officials had been identified during the visit to Gaza of the emir of Qatar and subsequently were targeted by Israel. During his visit the emir gave watches and pens as gifts to heads of Hamas; these, allegedly, sent low-frequency signals to Israeli satellites that helped locate Hamas leaders during the Gaza operation, Fars alleged. IDF Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael (Mickey) Segall is a senior analyst at the Jerusalem Center.
2012-12-04 00:00:00
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