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Dealing with Hamas' Military Force Reconstruction

(Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Amos Yadlin - Israel did not succeed in imposing on Hamas the demilitarization of Gaza and the establishment of mechanisms that would deny Hamas the ability to reconstruct its force. However, this goal must be central to Israel's demands in the negotiations on a long-term arrangement. Hamas will make every effort to reconstruct its force and prepare for the next military round. Placing Palestinian Authority government and security services in Gaza will not be enough to prevent Hamas' reconstruction. However, Hamas is not expected to be able to reconstruct its force massively anytime soon. If the talks in Cairo do not result in an agreement that provides an effective response to reconstruction, Israel must formulate a strategy without Hamas' consent, though coordinated with Egypt and the U.S., that will deal optimally with Hamas' future force reconstruction. Furthermore, Israel must convince its U.S. and European allies that Hamas' manufacturing strategic weapons and digging offensive tunnels are a causus belli for Israel, and that these are legitimate reasons for Israel to take military action in Gaza. INSS director Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin served as the IDF's chief of Defense Intelligence (2006-2010).
2014-09-12 00:00:00
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