The situation prevailing in the last few hours in southern Israel is paranoid. Palestinian fighters of the Hamas-linked organization “Al Qassam Brigades” and other terrorist Palestinian organizations, have carried out an invasion by land, sea and air, in the southern part of the Jewish state and are killing indiscriminately whoever they find in front of them… The name of the operation is “Operation Al -Aqsa Storm” (Storm Al Aqsa). The most obvious goal is to lead the Israelis to level Gaza and the reaction that will be caused in the Arab countries to derail the prospect of a peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, under the auspices of the USA. The “bocha” (not the “scent”) of Erdogan’s Turkey, the mullahs of Iran… with a little – or maybe more? – of Qatar, circulates throughout the geopolitical region, in an effort to search for the behind-the-scenes instigators and supporters of the situation (please also read the analysis titled “The Geopolitical dimension of the Hamas – Israel conflict on the map of the Middle East“).
From the outset, of course, the huge issue of the tragic failure of the Israeli security mechanism (intelligence failure) should be raised, as it is unthinkable, given historical experience, that everyone was not on high alert. There has not been a single time in history that there has not been an attempt to derail any peace initiative between the Israelis and their Arab entourage. Israelis seem to have been caught asleep – literally and figuratively – resting perhaps in the belief that nothing new will happen in relation to the past. Somehow, however, the opponent achieves strategic surprise.
The Palestinian militants, among others, also used gliders equipped with engines to infiltrate Israel. They also infiltrated on motorcycles. Elsewhere they cut down border fences. There are sources that even speak of hundreds of dead. Israeli soldiers at border posts were executed on the spot. Dead bodies are paraded by Palestinians who literally behave like animals. Israeli citizens are shot indiscriminately and killed in the street.
There are reports of captured soldiers and possibly police officers. Historically, we know that in such situations it is a useful negotiating tool and results in the release of hundreds, for the exchange of one, even a dead one. The Israeli Police are carrying out operations to neutralize militants who have entered Israeli homes, killing families. A police station in the city of Sderot is reportedly in the hands of Palestinian militants. Defense Minister Noam Gallant approved a plan to rapidly recall significant reserve forces. The developments will be rapid in the coming hours and days.
The situation is generally out of control. Currently. Palestinians have taken over and are driving around in Humvee-type military vehicles, while an Israeli Merkava main battle tank is pictured on fire, possibly having been hit by an anti-tank missile. Israel’s National Security Council is meeting and is expected to declare war on Gaza’s Hamas in the early afternoon. The situation is very difficult and the manipulations required very delicate. Hamas and other organizations asked similar Lebanese and Syrian organizations, such as the Shiite Hezbollah, as well as others, to attack Israel as well, taking advantage of “the opportunity”. Islamic Jihad participates…
This is an area where many “militants” made a living from the money of the Gulf monarchies, which served their own purposes. It remains to be seen how Israel will choose to move to control the situation without, if possible, provoking a “sidewalk” reaction in the Sunni Middle East, which has largely sided with the Israelis and normalized relations with the Jewish state, as the common enemy, the Shiites of Iran, are now seen as a greater threat…
It should be pointed out that the aim is not only to derail the peace initiative resulting in the allegedly imminent agreement between Riyadh and Jerusalem, but also the discussion that had started between the Sunni Saudis and the Shiite Iranians. It is self-evident that there are too many in the Middle East and beyond, who have a vital interest in preventing at all costs any settlement in the direction of de-escalation and peace…
