The succession of operations in northern Samaria disrupts the local terrorist organizations from carrying out terror attacks in Judea and Samaria and within Israel. It hampers their ability to organize and forces them to divert most of their attention and resources to keep themselves alive and safe.
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This is why it is crucial to maintain this momentum and prevent them from having respite that will allow them to organize themselves. The heads of Israel's National Security Council and the Shin Bet, who were expected to participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh Security Summit, know this well and are likely to find themselves under pressure from the summit's other participants to reduce the IDF's operations during Ramadan. We should assume that reality will force Israel's security system to choose between the price of its actions (agitating things) and the cost of refraining from doing them (terror activity). Regarding this, it is better not to provide them with any assurances.
The security challenge in Jerusalem will become greater. Ramadan is already upon us, along with the propaganda of lies presenting "Al-Aqsa in peril". Israel will have a hard time "convincing those already convinced," and it is doubtful whether it will be able to alleviate the tension. Still, with correct conduct, it will at least be able to prevent further deterioration. We need to lend an ear to the security authorities' stance regarding the legislative initiatives in the enforcement field that are likely to create points of friction, add fuel to the fire, and divert police forces to them. These police forces are more needed throughout the city, providing a feeling of security and quickly responding to every incident that occurs.
Regarding the Gaza Strip, Hamas' threats over the past few days are not necessarily evidence that Israeli deterrence has weakened. We need to judge Hamas according to its actions. At this time, Israel has no interest in entering the Gaza Strip to do a round of hostilities, but we cannot allow Hamas to take advantage of this. Israel's toolbox of measures against Hamas needs to include steps Israel will take to harm Hamas' senior operatives personally without bringing about widespread deterioration. The use of these measures must be not only for retaliation but also for deterrence and prevention.
This is so for the northern arena as well, following the infiltration of the terrorist from Lebanon who placed a roadside explosive at the Megiddo Junction. On the one hand, we cannot take this event lightly, but on the other hand, it is incorrect to view it as a sign of our loss of deterrence. Those who sent the terrorist on his mission are not hastening to claim responsibility; if not because of their embarrassment, then it is probably a sign of their reluctance to do so. The defense minister's statement that Israel will retaliate is definitely appropriate. In this case, it is better to prefer "the quality of the retaliation" over its speed.
"Israel is burning out" – this is the headline that the Lebanese media outlet Almayadeen chose to give its last week's article on Israel's internal situation. The functioning and operations of the Israeli security forces these days are bringing that article into proportion. At the same time, the security challenges it faces intensify the urgency of reaching an agreed–upon solution that will end Israel's internal crisis.
Meir Ben Shabbat served as Israel's national security advisor and head of the National Security Council between 2017 and 2021. He is head of the Institute for Zionist Strategy & National Security, in Jerusalem.
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