The Next Round in the Gaza Strip: Act Urgently to Avoid it, and Prepare for its Outbreak | iNSS

In mid April 2017, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke in the Knesset about the outbreak of Operation Protective Edge in 2014, contrary to the intentions and efforts of the government, and on Israel’s alternatives: the undesired political option (settlement with Hamas) and the military option not chosen (occupation of Gaza). The remarks take on particular relevance in view of today’s rapidly growing pressures in the Gaza Strip, and the increasing danger of a renewed outbreak of hostilities, which Israel does not want. In the framework of its current policy, Israel should take swift, determined action to reduce the humanitarian-economic pressures in Gaza and thereby reduce their buildup toward escalation; at the same time, it must prepare for the outbreak of fighting, which could lead to capture of the Strip, both by promoting political and military preparedness, and by preparing alternatives to avoid renewed direct rule by Israel over the Gaza population.