by Yoav Limor
The Gaza Bridge will have to answer for the fact that it essentially failed to deal with a border riot, especially after its exceptional performance during May's Operation Guardian of the Walls.
For decades, every IDF command course teaches cadets about the "strategic corporal event" – a seemingly tactical and marginal incident that drags the IDF and Israel into what is essentially a strategic mess.
This is exactly what happened on Sunday during a demonstration on the Gaza Strip border. A pre-determined local event that was supposed to end without any incident but got out of hand and dragged Israel in an unwanted clash.
The IDF was unable to provide satisfactory explanations thus far as to why Hamas members were allowed to enter what was supposed to be a buffer of about 300 meters (yards) from the security fence that should remain sterile, thus allowing their snipers better positions, which resulted in the critical injury of an Israeli officer.
Border Police officer Barel Hadaria Shmueli, 21, remains is critical conditions following the shooting on the Gaza border, and the tactical failure that led to his injury could have had much harsher results. Had the terrorist decided to throw a grenade at the troops, we could have had three fatalities on our hands.
It is also unclear what happened to the IDF's experience with such events. Riots on the Gaza border are hardly new and the IDF paid a price since 2018 while learning how to deal with them.
The Gaza Bridge will have to answer for the fact that it essentially failed to deal with a border riot, especially after its exceptional performance during May's Operation Guardian of the Walls.
This dissonance is troubling because Sunday's event did not come as a surprise. The IDF knew about it and prepared for it, so it is unclear whether events unfolded as they did over excessive self-confidence, complacency or underestimation of the threat.
The IDF made it clear that it is investigating the incident thoroughly. Similar cases in the past have ended with decisive conclusions, including personal ones but it is doubtful that this will happen now.
The IDF command is closing ranks and the political echelon does not particularly challenge it. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett even said Sunday that "the IDF, the Southern Command and the Gaza Division are prepared for any scenario," a somewhat problematic statement given recent events.
Sunday's events are troubling not only because of their dire results but mostly over the implication going forward. Hamas is been bolstered and is sure to mount future riots in hopes to exact a price from the IDF.
The military will most likely make the necessary tactical adjustments and will also be more aggressive in its response, which will probably lead to Palestinian casualties and a response from the Palestinians.
This is a familiar ritual. We've been here before, three years ago, and the cycle was only broken when Qatar began funneling cash into the Strip.
Hamas is unhappy with the new financial arraignments by which it would no longer get cash, rather get the funds via a wire transfer, because it leaves its members without salaries.
Israel will be unable to contain further violence. The IDF will have to respond and both parties will find themselves on the familiar collision course.
Only three months ago, at the end of Operation Guardian of the Walls, the IDF claimed that the operation would bring peace to the south for a long time. Since then, incendiary balloons were launched over the border, a rocket was fired, and a Border Police officer has been critically wounded, making the IDF's promises ring somewhat hollow.
This is an important lesson in modesty and also in looking to the future. Nothing in Gaza has ever been resolved in a flash, and no one can really meet the standard he promises to the public. As always, Gaza requires handling with care so as to prevent it from erupting again.
Yoav Limor
Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/a-tactical-event-with-strategic-implications/
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