WarSclerotic

Ahmed Jabari was eliminated on Wednesday. Better late than never. The killing and the subsequent targeting of Fajr missile sites and other Hamas officials were necessary steps for Israel to restore its deterrent power, which had disintegrated in recent months. The only possible way to halt the rocket fire from the Gaza Strip for a prolonged period of time is for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) to exact a heavy price from Hamas. This was the goal of Israel’s action on Wednesday. The current military operation is not a trivial matter, but it is also not an overall solution to the Gaza problem.

For a moment, Israel lived up to its past reputation, acting with agility and deception. Minister Benny Begin, a member of the Political-Security Cabinet, was sent on to the radio stations to declare that the current round of violence was over. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak espoused clichés and then pulled the wool over the eyes of Hamas by visiting northern Israel while ordering IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz to open fire in Gaza.

Israel could have opened Operation Pillar of Defense earlier by taking out other Hamas leaders, but the Shin Bet said there was a chance to get Jabari. The decision was therefore made to wait for the opportunity to liquidate him. The IDF Military Intelligence Directorate spent a long time precisely mapping the location of Fajr missile sites in Gaza.

Hamas was caught completely by surprise. It did not believe that the Israeli government would dare to respond to its goading. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh had earlier said that if the current Egyptian government had been in power in 2008, Operation Cast Lead would not have happened.

Hamas could not imagine that it was facing a new Israeli military operation. As of Wednesday night, Egypt responded by summoning its ambassador to Israel home for consultations. In diplomatic terms, this marked a harsh condemnation of Israel.

Hamas erred in its assessment that Israel was in a position of weakness. However, Netanyahu and Barak on Wednesday night avoided making the arrogant and morale-boosting blustering that emanated from Israel at the start of the Second Lebanon War in 2006. IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai emphasized on Wednesday that tough days are ahead.

The government has set realistic goals for this operation, understanding the obvious insight that operations like this do not provide comprehensive solutions. At the end of this operation, there will not be a peace agreement or even a long-term truce. Residents of southern Israel will again enjoy quiet only if Israel re-establishes a level of deterrence that will last for a few years.

But there is a long road to achieving this goal. There will be high and low moments. There will be tough diplomatic challenges, both with our neighbors in the Middle East and with our friends in the U.S. and Europe. Some Grad rockets will hit their targets in Israel and a Fajr missile may even reach the Tel Aviv area. Israelis need to avoid hysteria and strengthen their solidarity with the residents of the south. Israel’s internal political divides will disappear temporarily but some parties will naturally break away from the broad consensus once difficulties and unavoidable errors occur.

Launching Operation Pillar of Defense was undoubtedly the correct move, but bringing it to an end will be tough. International entities, both friendly and hostile, will intervene and the bargaining stage will begin. The operation deserves wide support, but we need to take a deep breath. Israelis on the homefront will need to be patient and level-headed. All must understand that the benefits accrued from Israel’s achievements during the operation will be limited to only the foreseeable future.