Updated to the Sixth Day of Operation Protective Edge

1. The situation as it stands on the sixth day of Operation Protective Edge, in ITIC assessment:

1) The State of Israel – Israel was dragged into Operation Protective Edge by intensive rocket barrages launched into its populated areas from the Gaza Strip during Operation Brothers’ Keeper. So far, Israel has succeeded in hit the terrorist infrastructures of Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip with intensive air strikes (with support with attacks from the sea and land). Israel has also succeeded in significantly limiting harm done to its civilian population, thanks to the effectiveness of its Iron Dome aerial defense system and the appropriate conduct of the home front during rocket attacks. In addition, Israel has prevented Hamas from carrying out showcase attacks. However, Israel is experiencing difficulty in preventing the continuation of intense rocket fire from the Gaza Strip (even though its scope has diminished a bit) and in preventing the disruption of the daily lives of most of its citizens. Therefore, a ground incursion is still considered a possible alternative, as has been repeatedly stated by senior Israeli political and military figures, although so far Israel is reluctant to use the option because of the high price involved.

2) Hamas – Hamas is responsible for the deterioration on the ground during Operation Brothers’ Keeper, acting from a position of strategic weakness (loss of support from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, hostility of the Egyptian regime, difficulties caused to its relations with Iran and the radical camp, financial difficulties in the Gaza Strip). So far Hamas has no significant military achievements to present to the Gazans (“victory pictures” such as massive Israeli casualties, destruction of strategic facilities, “successful” terrorist attacks from the Gaza Strip). Hamas has also not managed to gain sweeping support from the Arab-Muslim world and is isolated in the international arena. However, Hamas has managed to demonstrate its ability to disrupt the lives of most of Israel’s citizens for a relatively long period, and to put new areas into the range of its rockets (the outskirts of Haifa in the north, for example). Hamas’ military-terrorist capabilities took severe hits but Hamas manages to continue its on-going rocket attacks on Israeli territory and to preserve the survival of its senior operatives, in the face of Israel’s intensive military attacks.

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