Did Israel's Gaza Offensive Achieve Its Goals?

[Ha'aretz] Aluf Benn, Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff - Three rockets fell Thursday in the area around Gaza, reminders that Israel is still far from its declared goal in its Gaza operation. If Israel can enshrine the operation in a long-term agreement, the war will be remembered as a success. But fears are mounting that the operation's military achievements are dissipating. Because in Gaza the enemy was less determined than in Lebanon, Israel's move first appeared to be a victory. Only when the IDF left could the results of the war be seen as limited, with almost daily attacks near the fence, a continuing "drizzle" of rockets and information on renewed arms smuggling. Hamas is still waiting for another crowning achievement: if abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is released for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.


2009-02-27 06:00:00

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