The Israeli problem is of a tactical and strategic nature. In 2018, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came under pressure to go to war with Gaza, he refused, arguing that the Iranian threat in Syria requires Israel’s full attention. Israel and Iran in Syria, as well as in Lebanon and perhaps Iraq, and elsewhere where pro-Iranian militias say they want to join Hamas’ war against Israel, seem to be on the verge of a confrontation.
However, Israel sought to manage the conflict over Hamas. For example, tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated in the past, with Israel launching short, multi-day airstrikes against Gaza. Now, however, the conflict management policy is over. Israel now publicly says it wants to make arrangements for peace for five years. But Hamas has not suffered serious defeats. Israel regularly targets Hamas infrastructure.
Hamas members are usually able to escape death. Some Hamas drone teams and groups in charge of anti-tank guided missiles have been targeted. However, the number of casualties seems low. Hamas does not pay much for its massive rocket attacks. Evidence in the Iranian media also suggests that the rocket launch by Hamas was designed to test the Iron Dome system and close Israeli airports. Hamas drones, based on the Iranian Ababil drone, pose a new threat.
