Observation: Why did PM Netanyahu agree to indefinitely freeze destruction
of the tunnels?
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 27 July 2014

Late Friday night, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yaalon
decided to accept a humanitarian ceasefire during which the IDF would not
detonate any explosives. The only way to destroy the tunnels is with
explosives.

The ceasefire has already been extended twice by the Security Cabinet.

Unlike the earlier humanitarian pauses that were clearly to be of limited
duration when they were agreed to, it is the hope and intention of the
international community that this humanitarian ceasefire will be extended
until a long term ceasefire is established.

Simply put: By accepting this principle for this humanitarian ceasefire, PM
Netanyahu has set the precedent that Israel will accept conditions under
which the tunnels are never destroyed.

Why did he do it?

Possibility #1: Washington came up with such a good threat that PM
Netanyahu felt compelled to give in.

Speculation regarding the nature of the threat ranges from having the FAA
renew the ban of flights to Ben Gurion to American support for a
"humanitarian flotilla" of supply ships that would offload in Gaza.

Problem: If the threat works once it will be repeated over and over again.
That's the way blackmail works.

Possibility #2: Prime Minister Netanyahu is convinced that if conditions
prevent Israel from destroying the tunnels that the international community
will allow Israel to establish a buffer zone within the Gaza Strip so that
instead of blowing up the tunnels and leaving, the IDF will continually
operate in the buffer zone, seeking out and sealing up tunnels as they are
discovered.

Problem: Is it reasonable to make decisions now based on the assumption
that the United States - or anyone else in the world community - will
support such an arrangement?

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA ________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il