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The deterioration of the situation is Gaza is still in full swing. The barrage of Kassams on Sderot and the firing of rockets at Ashkelon is a calculated escalation on the part of Hamas. It is a retaliatory action for the successful targeted killings of terrorists who, in the absence of the assassination on Wednesday morning, would have executed an attack that would have extracted a high price from us. It is important to mention this fact since there is a general feeling that the IDF is not doing enough and that is completely untrue.

Even so, the frustration here is still high, inasmuch as the rockets keep coming despite the offensive operations that the IDF is undertaking in Gaza, and the range has been expanded to include Ashkelon. With frustrating and confusing conditions, come futile ideas - defeatist and adventurous especially. Therefore, it is important to state clearly what is possible and what is necessary.

First - what should not be done.

* We should not entertain ideas such as 'hudna' [truce] and 'calm' with Hamas. It is a tempting idea in the short term, but most dangerous in the long term. A cease-fire would allow Hamas to rearm and strengthen its hold on Gaza. Our objective is not stopping the Kassam rockets but putting an end to the Hamas regime. If we do not, when the time comes to undertake a large-scale operation in Gaza, the price would rise greatly.

* We should not proceed with a large-scale operation without clearly defining our objectives and without an exit strategy after said objectives are achieved. In other words, we should find a way not to repeat the errors on the Second Lebanon War.

What should be done?

* There is no escaping the fact that we must break Hamas' military power in the Strip. Iran should not be allowed to establish an advanced base, styled after southern Lebanon, on the outskirts of Sderot and mere kilometers from Ashkelon. However, we must not proceed as such without knowing who we "hand over the keys" to at the close of the operation. In other words, we must not repeat the mistakes on the disengagement. We must remember - Hamas controls Gaza as a result of its military might and its oppressive regime. Hamas is not popular. In all the surveys conducted, support for the organization is less than 20%. In the polls, its "head", Ismail Haniyeh, receives much less support than Marwan Barghouti and Mahmoud Abbas.

There is one more important thing to be done that is essential to changing the reality in Gaza, which many do not understand. I am referring to the economic situation. A million and a half Gazan residents exist on 10 shekels a day on average. Whoever controls Gaza will not be able to rein in terror activities without providing basic needs to the population. Nations around the world in general, and rich Arab nations in particular (100$ a barrel for oil!) make do with wagging their tongues about the suffering of the Palestinians and do not lift a finger to ease it.

There is a real need for an economic plan for Gaza that would operate only after the ousting of Hamas. There are many projects in the transportation, energy, construction and industrial fields that should be undertaken by private companies as business ventures.

To those who don't understand, I know, that things look absurd. Why should we speak of employment in Gaza when Grad-missiles rain down on Ashkelon? But, whoever aims seriously for change on the ground and is not merely satisfied with uttering popular slogans, needs to address the root of the problem. Those with in-depth knowledge of the situation know that we cannot change the military and political situation in Gaza without changing the economic reality. It is in the interest of Israel.

Permit me one last comment even if it will not be understood by many. There is no defeating Hamas militarily without defeating it politically. A political defeat means achieving an agreement through negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. There is no purpose to an agreement if it does not break Hamas' might. There is no purpose to breaking Hamas' might if we do not reach a political agreement. These two matters are co-dependent.

Comments:

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1 | sandra chitayat, montreal, canada, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

I fully support Ephraim Sneh's comments, thank him for articulating what needs to be done. Nothing short of rooting out the present system that purports to be ruling the Strip. This can't go on indefinitely.

2 | Martin Leaf USA, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

Which is more popular , Hamas in Gaza, or Kadima in Israel? You assume if Israel does x or y the "Palestinians" will stop terror. That will never happen. Bolstering the Gaza economy when many Jews in Israel live in poverty ? The Arabs are winning now because they can decide , by raining rockets from land Israel retreated from, whether or not there will be war, any time they want, from the North and the South. That is the reality. Your perception is silly. In 2001 you said imortars launched from Gaza would cross all redlines.How many red lines have been crossed ?

3 | Anthony Engelen, the Netherlands, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

We, my wife and I have lived near Gaza for 5 years on Kibbutz zikim who is now also under threat from hamas its missiles. We had to run to the bombshelters twice during our holyday to Zikim last year. It's time the Israeli goverment does something about this situation , the best way is to destroy hamas and his leaders don't think of what the world will say about this Israel is, and always was, alone in his struggle for peace and justice. And don't forget there are more people supporting you than you think.

4 | Reuven Ben-Daniel Israel, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

Quote from JPost today "Israel allowed the transfer of medical and food aid into the Gaza Strip via the Sufa Crossing on Sunday, the IDF spokesperson announced. Organized by the Gaza Strip Coordination and Liaison Administration, 62 trucks carrying medical supplies, World Food Program cooking supplies, water purification supplies, as well as meat and fish, passed into the Strip. " It seems we are strengthening Hamas not destroying it. Is this a reward for killing our two soldiers? Are we also going to replace the rockets we have destroyed? What a message for the parents of the two soldiers.

5 | Victor D, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

Here is your solution. Send ten rockets for evey one into Gaza. Don't send troops...just make it miserable for Gazans and Hamas to live. Everytime a Hamas rat rides in a car...blow it up! It's called WAR! Olemrt and company needs a set of batzum.

6 | BEN MOSER,UNITED STATES, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

If I saw my enemy receiving large packages every day that were olive drab in color would I wonder? If i saw my enemy assembling something in his yard that looked like a weapon, would I become concerned? If I saw that my enemy was aiming this weapon at me would I act ? The answer is I would have killed my enemy when the first package arrived, for I would have known his intent and eliminated the threat.

7 | Paul Schneider Howell NJ, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

Who would have believed missles would fall on Askelon? It is time to act and invade and get it over with. Paul Schneider

8 | Joseph L Shakant, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

In addition to all the concerned nations playing a vitat role in helping the Gazans economically in Gaza, it is important that thpught be given toa partial resettlement of willing and interested residents onto Arab lands elsewhere. New cities and developments there, with active Arab involvement building and paying for projects-roads, schools,hospitals,industrial startups,etc.-could augur in a new era meaningfully enabling positive change for a downtrodden people who now view violence as their only salvation. Joseph l shalant shalantlaw@aol.com

9 | Greg Wilson, USA, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

I agree that Hamas must be eliminated as a political and military organization, and now is the time to do it. What amazes me is that Hamas holds huge rallies calling for "Death to Israel" and then when Israel reacts to protect it's citizens from Hamas-sanctioned rocket attacks, the Palestinians start screaming, "Genocide", "Terrorism", "Atrocities". Don't the Palestinians know that repeatedly screaming "I'm going to kill you" to someone more powerful, and then attacking them is the path to certain suicide?

10 | Reginald, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

(I) The daily barrage of rockets against Israeli towns and cities is the result of foolish Oslo peace process brought entirely upon Israel by the Israeli leaders, from Late Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak, Ehud Olmert. The capitulation and forceful ethnic cleansing of Jews living in Israel from Samaria, for the purpose of appeasing terrorists, and quartets, consisting of USA,EU, UN, Russia and the Arab and Islamic world because of their crude petroleum

11 | Reginald, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

In June 1982, before Israeli invasion of Lebanon under late Israeli PM, and under Ariel Sharon as defence minister, PLO, terrorists organisation used to launch rockets from Lebanon into Israel. Then the uncompromising Menachem Begin and his defense chief Ariel Sharon sent the IDF to expel PLO headed by the late terror sage Yasser Arafat and actually succeeded in expelling PLO, but under the arm twisting of the Late American president, Ronald Regan for total decimation of terror PLO, was averted.

12 | Paul Kupferman, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

The "thorn in Israel's side that Torah long ago fortold, is still with us. If you don't remember, all you so-called "secular" Jews who read this is - it is the sons of Ishmael. Unless, of course you think that the TORAH is a fable, as so many so-called intellectuals believe. I thank G-d that the head of Israel's defense forces is now is the most decorated war veteran of Israel. It's a sad truth and present reality that their hatred of Israel is really a hatred of HaShem himself and his chosen people.

13 | Reginald, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

(II) Israel gained peace in its northern frontier as a result of this and then set up Christian Lebanese allies that act as a buffer force against Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah. Then the late Yitzhak Rabin thought to do the Arab world some good by inviting and bringing Terrorist Arafat back into Israel with a promise of land for peace, i.e. the Oslo debacle. What has this achieved instead more Israelis have lost their lives as a result of this foolish idea. Ehud Barak came to the scene, dismantled Christian Lebanese force and withdrew from Lebanon.

14 | Reginald, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

(IV) Ehud Barak came to the scene, dismantled Christian Lebanese force and withdrew from Lebanon. The result of this capitulation is the Iranian backed Hezbollah on the door step of Israel. The daily cross border raids by Hezbollah into Israel to kidnap and fire katusha rocket into Israel. IDF' lost it respect, invincibility and fear in the heart of Israeli mortal enemies. The disastrous ethnic cleansing of Jews in Samaria under the pretext of a failed two state, out of Eretz Israel on the land God almighty sworn by himself for all eternity to our Jewish brothers and sisters.

15 | Reginald, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

Solution is as follow: 1) Tell the world to go to blazes with their version of morality which is nothing but a trungeon stick to cast Israel in a bad light for fighting a war of survival as a Jewish nation. 2) Cleanse Samaria including Judea of Terrorists who are using psudonames as militants, resistance fighters to murder women, babies in Israel. 3) Tell the USA that if it truly values its relationship to Israel as an Israeli ally and friend, it must accept that there is not going to be a Palestinian state on the land of Israel.

16 | Steve Gure Coconut Creek, Fl USA, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

Every inteligent person with any common sense knows what has to be done but it is not being done by the present Israeli leadership. hAMAS HAS TO BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. than depart. If they rebuilt and start againthe same thing has to be done. It is that simple.

17 | tzvi/usa, Sunday Mar 02, 2008

it is good sneh wants to end hamas...BUT where was sneh when israel founded hamas?

The Weekly Portion: Put an end to Hamas' regime