With Israel gaining more respect, at least in military terms, for Hamas, the situation over Gaza appears ever more deadlocked, writes Saleh Al-Naami General Yoav Galant, commander of the southern zone in the Israeli army, doubled his inspection tours of the positions manned by the elite Givati Brigade, now engaged in military operations against Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza. Israeli media say that the frequent visits by Galant to army sites are intended to boost the morale of the soldiers, who lost many of their comrades in recent operations by Ezzedine Al-Qassam, the military wing of Hamas. Israeli military commanders, including General Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, admit that Hamas has become "creative" in its attacks since it stopped firing homemade rockets at nearby Israeli settlements. Israel's Infrastructure Minister General Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said that the recent spate of attacks shows that the Israeli offensive of last March, in which dozens of Palestinians were killed, failed to discourage Hamas. Maariv commentator Ben Kasbit says that many Israeli commanders feel frustrated by the unusual resilience of Hamas. "What else can we do to stop them? We've nearly tried everything. We carried out targeted killings and abductions. We destroyed homes and businesses. We used economic pressures and collective punishment. Nothing is working," Kasbit cited one general as saying. Ron Ben-Yishayi, military analyst for Yediot Aharonot, noted that Hamas is pushing Israel into a corner. Israel can no longer use Hamas rocket attacks to justify attacking civilians in Gaza, he pointed out. The shift in Hamas military tactics may ultimately undermine the policies of the Olmert government in Gaza. When Hamas kills soldiers stationed near Gaza, the public is likely to be weary of an extensive ground operation against Gaza. The more soldiers die, the less supportive public opinion would be of a full-scale offensive, Ben-Yishai concluded. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum says that the shift in military tactics is allowing Hamas the chance to decide the time and place of battle. "We wanted to send a message to Israeli decision-makers that we will not die without fighting for our right to live in dignity," he told Al-Ahram Weekly. Barhoum promised Israel more "surprises" unless the siege is lifted and Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons are released. "We intend to abduct more soldiers so as to force Israel to release our detainees," he said. Barhoum described the recent attacks by Al-Qassam Brigades as a "warning shot". Hamas, he added, would force Israel to pay dearly for continuing the blockade. Its operations will continue until Israel gives up its "arrogance" and accepts the terms of the resistance, Barhoum promised. Israel only understands the language of force, Barhoum said, noting that although Mahmoud Abbas and Olmert held talks repeatedly, Israel has not removed its roadblocks from the West Bank. Palestinian analyst Nehad Al-Sheikh Khalil believes that the military wing of Hamas has shifted tactics from defence to attack. "Hamas wants the Israelis to know that its blockade of the Palestinians is unacceptable." Hamas is stepping up its attacks on Israeli targets to indicate that the "explosion" its leaders have promised is meant for Israel, not Egypt. In recent protests on the border with Egypt, Hamas told participants to hand out roses to Egyptian soldiers, Khalil noted. Israel's knee-jerk reaction would be to strike back and hard, but this would be problematic, Khalil said. The Israelis are divided in their views about Hamas. Some want the fight to continue until Hamas is eradicated. Others want Israel to start talking to Hamas. Still others think that Hamas can be isolated through consistent support given to President Abbas. Khalil said that Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, who came to the job because of his outstanding military experience, is now just as troubled as Olmert. With Israelis divided and the Palestinians left with nothing to lose, the future is grim, Khalil notes. Israel is likely to order more incursions into Gaza, as Barak recently hinted. But the defence minister is aware that Hamas cannot be neutralised through military action alone. In a radio interview Sunday, Barak said that Israel could not destroy Hamas and end its control of Gaza through military means. Barak warned against attempts to install friendly governments by force, alluding to Israel's experience in Lebanon. In 1982, Israel managed to expel the Palestine Liberation Organisation from Lebanon and put Bashir Al-Gemayel in power. The outcome was horrid, Barak said, referring to the rise of Hizbullah. US experience in both Afghanistan and Iraq is rather similar, Barak added. The defence minister pointed out that he was trying to convince his fellow ministers that it was "nearly impossible" to eradicate Hamas. For the moment, both Israel and Hamas are keeping their options open. Both are interested in a ceasefire and fearful of an all-out confrontation. But neither is willing to give way. Israel is not in a mood to lift the siege, and Hamas is not going down without a fight.
