Managing Escalation in Gaza (Part 1): Lessons from Operation Protective Edge

  • Article

The article from The Washington Institute provides a comprehensive analysis of the events and dynamics leading up to Operation Protective Edge in 2014.


Name

Managing Escalation in Gaza (Part 1): Lessons from Operation Protective Edge

Description

The article from The Washington Institute provides a comprehensive analysis of the events and dynamics leading up to Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

Types

Article

Authors

Nadav Ben Hour

Claims from

The conflict intensified with the killing of a Hamas operative by the IDF and subsequent rocket fire by Hamas. This was followed by Israeli actions against a Hamas tunnel, leading to further escalation and the official commencement of Operation Protective Edge
The tension between clear communication of intentions and the need for deterrence was highlighted. Finding the right balance between these opposing impulses was identified as a key challenge
The operation was seen as a clear victory for the IDF, but it highlighted the importance of understanding the dynamics shaping a conflict's trajectory and the rapid nature of escalatory processes. The role of various armed groups in Gaza, economic factors, and the interplay between security considerations and military actions were all crucial elements
Both Hamas and Israel attempted to deescalate the crisis through escalatory actions, which paradoxically contributed to the outbreak of Operation Protective Edge. Mutual distrust and difficulty in distinguishing between defensive and offensive actions were significant factors in the escalation​
The confrontation between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas was not planned or initiated by either party; instead, it resulted from an action-reaction dynamic that spiraled out of control. Contributing factors included the kidnapping and murder of Israeli youths, rogue rocket fire from Gaza, and mutual fears of a broader conflict
The origins of the conflict can be traced back to Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012. Following this operation, Hamas continued to build up arms and prepare for future confrontations, though the situation changed drastically in July 2013 with the ousting of Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi by Gen. Abdul Fattah al-Sisi​
The main lesson from the operation was the complexity of preventing unwanted confrontation in Gaza, given the myriad of factors perpetuating tension between Israel and Hamas. The article emphasizes the importance of monitoring all factors and dynamics to reduce the potential for conflict
The conflict in 2014 demonstrated how escalatory dynamics can rapidly lead adversaries into full-blown fighting, even when neither side desires a war
Despite attempts to maintain calm, rogue elements periodically fired rockets at Israel, and a short escalation occurred in March 2014 led by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in June 2014 by a local Hamas cell significantly escalated tensions, leading to Israel's response and a series of retaliatory actions by both sides​

Publish date

07

Month
/

26

Day
/

2018

Year

12

:

00

am

Publisher

The Washington Institute

Topics

Operation protective edge

Web URL

https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/managing-escalation-gaza-part-1-lessons-operation-protective-edge#:~:text=The%202014%20conflict%20showed%20how,of%20the%20current%20situation%20there