Mowing the grass in Gaza
Those who forlornly ask “when is this going to end?” and use the cliché term “cycle of violence” have psychological difficulties digesting the facts that there is no solution in sight.
2014
Lots of people on my grapevine are talking about this policy. A big part of the plan is keeping the entire population desperate and demoralized thinking that this will keep them docile. It sure has not worked out that way.
Those who forlornly ask “when is this going to end?” and use the cliché term “cycle of violence” have psychological difficulties digesting the facts that there is no solution in sight.
2014
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/columnists/mowing-the-grass-in-gaza-368516The Israeli military offensive in Gaza reflects the assumption that Israel is in a protracted intractable conflict.
It is unlikely that Israel can purge Hamas from Palestinian society, nor is a political solution likely to be achieved.
Instead, Israel is acting in accordance with a “mowing the grass” strategy. After a period of military restraint, Israel is acting to severely punish Hamas for its aggressive behavior, and degrading its military capabilities – aiming at achieving a period of quiet.
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This explains part of the lack of understanding in the West for what Israel is doing.
Against an implacable, well-entrenched, non-state enemy like the Hamas, Israel simply needs to “mow the grass” once in a while to degrade the enemy’s capabilities. A war of attrition against Hamas is probably Israel’s fate for the long term. Keeping the enemy off balance and reducing its capabilities requires Israeli military readiness and a willingness to use force intermittently, while maintaining a healthy and resilient Israeli home front despite the protracted conflict.
Lots of people on my grapevine are talking about this policy. A big part of the plan is keeping the entire population desperate and demoralized thinking that this will keep them docile. It sure has not worked out that way.