On the Ground

It was only a matter of time. After balking at an Egyptian proposed ceasefire two days ago by refusing to halt rocket fire and cease hostilities against Israel, Hamas has backed themselves into a corner. The continuation of indiscriminate rocket fire deep into Israel, combined with even more additional attempted infiltration attacks in recent days through smuggling tunnels along the border has made an IDF incursion on the ground into Gaza inevitable. The number one responsibility of a nation's government is to protect its citizens, and in this case I applaud Prime Minister Netanyahu for taking the right stand. Having exhausted all diplomatic options available, Israel is beginning this next phase of Operation Protective Edge with the type of broad international legitimacy it rarely has. Perhaps most importantly, this includes an unprecedented statement released earlier today by the Egyptian government laying exclusive blame at the feet of Hamas. With all options truly having been exhausted, the Israeli government was left with little choice but to order IDF forces on the ground to act in order to return quiet to the citizens of Israel.

I don't expect anything resembling the large scale ground offensive deep into Gaza a la Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009. However, I do believe that dealing with the terror tunnels spread along the border of Gaza and southern Israel is an imperative priority that couldn't be left alone. The attempted infiltration attack early this morning near Kibbutz Sufa seemed to have been the straw that broke the camel's back. I anticipate on seeing IDF special forces lead the way in destroying the terror infrastructure that has been implanted along the border, while backed up by heavy tank and artillery fire. The next 48 to 72 hours will be among the most crucial in order to see in which direction things will go next.

 IDF soldiers are briefed before their mission in Gaza. Dover Tzahal