Commentary: See you in the next round
Despite declarations of victory by the IDF, in the current round Hamas displayed impressive capabilities for a terrorist organization operating in a small territory that is closed on three sides. If the current round results in calm for one to three years, it will be a great success
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 17/05/2021
According to an update by the IDF, as of 7:00am on Monday, about 60 rockets had been launched into Israel from the territory of the Gaza Strip since 19:00 on Sunday night. About 10 of the launches landed in the territory of Gaza. It means that there is a significant decline in the firing of rockets by Hamas.
After a week of fighting, it seems that the current round has come to an end. Israel struck its bank of targets (although the IDF says there are many more). However, a large portion of the targets that were bombed during the last couple of days included houses of Hamas figures, apparently due to an IDF objective of striking status symbols, more than operational infrastructure.
The IDF claims that it dealt a heavy blow to the underground infrastructures of Hamas and its ability to launch rockets. Also, it assassinated senior figures in the rocket network and struck rocket stockpiles. Seemingly, it was very successful. However, previous rounds in Gaza proved to the Israeli public that there is a gap between the expressions of pride by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit and the reality.
During this conflict, Hamas displayed capabilities that are no less than remarkable for a terrorist organization operating from a small territory that is closed on three sides. According to the IDF, the organization launched about 3,100 rockets during seven days of fighting. By a rough estimate, it means an average of about 443 rockets a day, or about 18 rockets per hour.
Hamas also expanded the range of the rockets to 250km. In other words, via launches from Gaza, the organization can strike almost any target in Israel from the Lebanese border to Eilat. Hamas also displayed attack drones, explosive drones, suicide submarines and antitank squads, and this is in addition to its tools such as demonstrations on the border, incendiary balloons and explosive balloons. If the IDF entered Gaza on the ground, we would have likely seen several other technological developments thanks to Iran and Hezbollah.
As mentioned, for a terrorist organization, these capabilities are not bad at all. How much time will it take Hamas to restore its capabilities following the current round? Well, it depends whom you ask. The IDF claims that it set back the organization by several decades. If that is correct, the residents of the Gaza border area should start making sure that their tax benefits are cancelled.
On the other hand, a person who considers the history of the rounds of fighting in Gaza will reach a different conclusion. It is estimated by former senior defense figures that there will be calm for between one and three years, the amount of time that it will take Hamas to train human capital, replenish stocks and prepare itself for the next round with Israel.
Despite declarations of victory by the IDF, in the current round Hamas displayed impressive capabilities for a terrorist organization operating in a small territory that is closed on three sides. If the current round results in calm for one to three years, it will be a great success
According to an update by the IDF, as of 7:00am on Monday, about 60 rockets had been launched into Israel from the territory of the Gaza Strip since 19:00 on Sunday night. About 10 of the launches landed in the territory of Gaza. It means that there is a significant decline in the firing of rockets by Hamas.
After a week of fighting, it seems that the current round has come to an end. Israel struck its bank of targets (although the IDF says there are many more). However, a large portion of the targets that were bombed during the last couple of days included houses of Hamas figures, apparently due to an IDF objective of striking status symbols, more than operational infrastructure.
The IDF claims that it dealt a heavy blow to the underground infrastructures of Hamas and its ability to launch rockets. Also, it assassinated senior figures in the rocket network and struck rocket stockpiles. Seemingly, it was very successful. However, previous rounds in Gaza proved to the Israeli public that there is a gap between the expressions of pride by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit and the reality.
During this conflict, Hamas displayed capabilities that are no less than remarkable for a terrorist organization operating from a small territory that is closed on three sides. According to the IDF, the organization launched about 3,100 rockets during seven days of fighting. By a rough estimate, it means an average of about 443 rockets a day, or about 18 rockets per hour.
Hamas also expanded the range of the rockets to 250km. In other words, via launches from Gaza, the organization can strike almost any target in Israel from the Lebanese border to Eilat. Hamas also displayed attack drones, explosive drones, suicide submarines and antitank squads, and this is in addition to its tools such as demonstrations on the border, incendiary balloons and explosive balloons. If the IDF entered Gaza on the ground, we would have likely seen several other technological developments thanks to Iran and Hezbollah.
As mentioned, for a terrorist organization, these capabilities are not bad at all. How much time will it take Hamas to restore its capabilities following the current round? Well, it depends whom you ask. The IDF claims that it set back the organization by several decades. If that is correct, the residents of the Gaza border area should start making sure that their tax benefits are cancelled.
On the other hand, a person who considers the history of the rounds of fighting in Gaza will reach a different conclusion. It is estimated by former senior defense figures that there will be calm for between one and three years, the amount of time that it will take Hamas to train human capital, replenish stocks and prepare itself for the next round with Israel.
