Israel's Ground Operation in Gaza

Israel's planned ground operation in Gaza is considered a fiendishly difficult task that requires sound strategic leadership. It is crucial for Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff to get the big ideas right, which goes beyond seeking vengeance. They must develop a vision for what follows and address the lives of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Merely 'mowing the grass' by conducting a limited military action would result in Hamas reconstituting itself. A successful operation would require clearing every building, floor, room, basement, and tunnel in the face of an enemy that employs improvised explosive devices and other tactics. The challenge is immense, similar to the nine-month clearing operation against the Islamic State in Iraq.