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Why Gaza Hasn't Erupted into All-Out War

(Washington Post) Daniel Byman - Hamas leaders recognize their own military, political and diplomatic weakness; a longer war would achieve little and leave Gaza in even worse shape. Hamas has long used or tolerated rocket attacks as a way to draw international attention to Gaza. Hamas may seek to send the world, including the U.S., the message that no peace deal can happen without Hamas' tacit approval. Hamas governs Gaza ineffectively, which hampers its ability to gain leadership of the Palestinian cause. Hamas is willing to risk conflict to show militants that it is standing up to Israel and let frustrated Gazans know that it will not meekly accept a grim status quo. Hamas' rockets spread terror and some death, but they aren't a winning military strategy, and the group was quick to press for a ceasefire. Israel's tough but calibrated military response ended the barrage and it provoked little international criticism. In addition to its poor military options, Hamas is diplomatically isolated. The writer is a professor in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
2019-05-08 00:00:00
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