Reply #46: If you don't mind me taking a semi-academic approach here [View All]

Do I see a difference? Of course, there is a difference, but it's really the same conflict. It's the result of asymmetric warfare at a textbook level which implies the metrics for governing success are also going to be asymmetric. Capturing the soldier makes this a purely military confrontation. If Israel ends up killing civilians as a result, then this will be perceived as a weakness and a victory for the Palestinian militant group which has the soldier. If Israel does nothing, then they are perceived as weak, if they fail they will be perceived as ineffective. Israel's only real options are a troop exchange or to find a military solution which shows they are not weak and somehow effective in dealing with the militants. The PR campaign has included many photos of Israeli tank groups forming en mass off the border.

Side Note: What I see happening is Israel is attempting to draw out the militants somehow and engage those who take the bait. That is why they've only entered into the sparsely populated areas east of Rafah. If that fails, then Israel will have to make the hard choice of entering into the townships in force or waiting. One option at that point would be to send in light special ops forces in what amounts to recon in force operations. Who knows, maybe they will get lucky and receive some intelligence about the matter which will help.




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