The Izz al-Din al-Qassam is the military arm of the Hamas terrorists. Today, the Izzies (as I like to call them) took "credit" for firing just under 40 missiles into Israeli territory last night. The Israeli anti-missile system shot down eight of the missiles which were header to locations in towns and cities. The remainder hit in the countryside and did little harm. So the Izz al-Din al-Qassam did no real harm, but they put thousands of people at risk. That's a great thing for which to take "credit".
The Israeli response has been unsurprising as well. There have been some air strikes at those launching missiles, and there have also been some artillery shots fired at those same locations. Much more important, however, is that Israel has called up some of its reserves and moved armed forces to the border with Gaza. In the present climate in the Middle East, it would not be surprising if Hamas continues its barrages and gets an Israeli move into Gaza as a result.
If Israel were to reoccupy part of Gaza and search building to building for missiles and other weapons, it would be a true disaster for Hamas. After all, Hamas no longer has the support of Iran since Sunni Hamas chose to side with the rebels in Syria against Shiite Assad and his Iranian protectors. Hamas has also picked a fight with the government of president Sisi in Egypt, going so far as to attack Egyptian troops in the Sinai. Were Israel to rid Gaza of Hamas weaponry, it would be much harder for Hamas to rearm. No weapons would come from Iran. No weapons would come through the Sinai and into Gaza throught he smuggling tunnels. Israel might actually have a peaceful few years with regard to Gaza. And while Hamas was being attacked, it is unlikely that Hezbollah would attack Israel from the north just to help its adversaries in Hamas.
Then there is the Palestinian Authority. President Abbas has been fighting with Hamas for many years. At the moment, they have supposedly made peace, but agreements between Hamas and Abbas' Fattah party usually last only moments after they are announced. It is hard to imagine that Abbas would mind very much if the Hamas power base in Gaza is wiped out by Israel. Oh, Abbas will condemn any action taken by Israel, but that will be in public. In private, Abbas will no doubt celebrate anything that degrades Hamas' ability to cause trouble.
Indeed, it seems that the only players in the Middle East who might be unhappy to see Hamas degraded would be ISIS and possibly Saudi Arabia and Turkey. ISIS, however, is too busy elsewhere to get involved, and both Turkey and the Saudis are unlikely to do anything that could be perceived as offering real help to Hamas.
So put all this together and you find that Izz al-Din al-Qassam of Hamas is taking a road toward ruin. It will not be able to stop the Israeli Defense Forces from attacking Gaza and destroying the Hamas weapon and defense infrastructure. Nevertheless, the dizzy Izzies seem to be inviting just such an action by Israel.
The Israeli response has been unsurprising as well. There have been some air strikes at those launching missiles, and there have also been some artillery shots fired at those same locations. Much more important, however, is that Israel has called up some of its reserves and moved armed forces to the border with Gaza. In the present climate in the Middle East, it would not be surprising if Hamas continues its barrages and gets an Israeli move into Gaza as a result.
If Israel were to reoccupy part of Gaza and search building to building for missiles and other weapons, it would be a true disaster for Hamas. After all, Hamas no longer has the support of Iran since Sunni Hamas chose to side with the rebels in Syria against Shiite Assad and his Iranian protectors. Hamas has also picked a fight with the government of president Sisi in Egypt, going so far as to attack Egyptian troops in the Sinai. Were Israel to rid Gaza of Hamas weaponry, it would be much harder for Hamas to rearm. No weapons would come from Iran. No weapons would come through the Sinai and into Gaza throught he smuggling tunnels. Israel might actually have a peaceful few years with regard to Gaza. And while Hamas was being attacked, it is unlikely that Hezbollah would attack Israel from the north just to help its adversaries in Hamas.
Then there is the Palestinian Authority. President Abbas has been fighting with Hamas for many years. At the moment, they have supposedly made peace, but agreements between Hamas and Abbas' Fattah party usually last only moments after they are announced. It is hard to imagine that Abbas would mind very much if the Hamas power base in Gaza is wiped out by Israel. Oh, Abbas will condemn any action taken by Israel, but that will be in public. In private, Abbas will no doubt celebrate anything that degrades Hamas' ability to cause trouble.
Indeed, it seems that the only players in the Middle East who might be unhappy to see Hamas degraded would be ISIS and possibly Saudi Arabia and Turkey. ISIS, however, is too busy elsewhere to get involved, and both Turkey and the Saudis are unlikely to do anything that could be perceived as offering real help to Hamas.
So put all this together and you find that Izz al-Din al-Qassam of Hamas is taking a road toward ruin. It will not be able to stop the Israeli Defense Forces from attacking Gaza and destroying the Hamas weapon and defense infrastructure. Nevertheless, the dizzy Izzies seem to be inviting just such an action by Israel.
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