Dr. Aaron Lerner is co-founder of IMRA, Independent Media Review and Analysis, an Israel-based news organization which provides an extensive digest of media, polls and significant interviews and events relating to the Israeli-Arab conflict. imra@netvision.net.il
Facing the Gaza challenge
By Dr. Aaron Lerner
September 1, 2006
The Qassam rockets that slammed into Sderot today along with the huge tunnel discovered near the Karni crossing served as bleak reminders that the Gaza challenge cannot be ignored.
A challenge that is growing by leaps and bounds as weapons and military know-how pour in from Egypt while the various militias compete to build an extensive network of tunnels and other facilities for the war against Israel.
The Gaza threat is hardly a "local" nuisance. The capabilities being developed will put a considerable part of Israel within striking distance -- this when major strategic facilities are already within range of weapons systems that have already be operated from Gaza. And while a painfully escalating ongoing war of attrition, in-and-of-itself, would be detrimental to the Jewish State, this pales in comparison to the danger the Gaza threat poses should Palestinian attacks take place within the framework of a regional clash.
What, then, is the solution?
Give Egypt a more active role? They haven't taken seriously their obligation to control the flood of weapons from Egypt into Gaza and their chief interest so far has appeared to be preserving the strength of the various illegal militias.
International inspectors? They've been a farce at the Rafah Crossing.
How about negotiating a "hudna"? But all "hudna" means is that the Palestinians can focus their resources on preparing for battle as they don't have to fear Israeli strikes on their facilities.
How about going to final status talks? In the best of realistic scenarios it means ultimately facing the very same threat but with the added complication that Gaza is an internationally recognized sovereign entity.
So what's left?
Retaking overall control of Gaza would hardly be a picnic. But it is still very doable. And at a cost that's a bargain as compared to the cost of postponing the inevitable.
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