The Israel Defense Forces was in the midst of various activities, possibly even planning some surprises for the enemy, when the government pressed the pause button even before the get-go and chose to adopt a trial-and-error method. Hamas initiated the cease-fire in a direct appeal to Egypt. It is the first time the group has done so since the latest round of all-too-common fighting began even though the group said it never even fired. This marks a new development, and we must examine Hamas's true intentions, particularly why it took this step. Meanwhile, Tahrir Square teems with animosity toward Israel, and Egypt's Supreme Military Council deliberates between pleasing the ignorant masses and making reasonable decisions. Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, the head of the ruling Supreme Military Council, asked Israel not to harm Hamas, as it would create a burden on his regime and reduce its sway over public opinion. Israel is aware that the military council controlling Egypt is losing strength and standing. Yet Jerusalem does not have the luxury of exhibiting indifference to the prospect that Tantawi and Co. could leave the scene too early. Delaying this scenario is infinitely preferable to the radical Islam that would replace the council. Faced with choices, the government acted like a responsible adult, and agreed to a cease-fire before the terrorist organizations responsible for the murders north of Eilat and the barrage of rockets fired at communities in central and southern Israel were properly punished. This decision has left a bitter aftertaste. It has also left the impression that the deterrence created by Operation Cast Lead has been exhausted. Unfortunately, it is safe to say that the round of fighting that was supposed to end Monday was not the last, and Israel will have additional opportunities to settle the score with Palestinian terrorists. While all of this was going on, Interior Minister Eli Yishai worked to bring the Kadima party into a unity government, as that factions' main spokespeople called for Israel to topple Hamas in Gaza. This is a proposal that should be weighed seriously, that should be considered on its merits without taking personal rivalries or the past into account. Tzipi Livni, Shaul Mofaz, Haim Ramon, Yohanan Plesner, and Ronit Tirosh are all singing the same tune. Yet how can Kadima propose eliminating Hamas from the south if they didn't even allow themselves to undertake a full ground assault in Gaza? Then they talk about targeted assassination. That's a nice idea. Just as the IDF took out the leaders of the Popular Resistance Committees, so too can it eliminate the Hamas leadership. That's effective for a considerable amount of time. But such a move also carries a price tag and conditions: the continued rocket fire into Beersheba, Ashkelon and Ashdod, and the knowledge Israel has failed to stock up on Iron Dome batteries to significantly reduce the damage, which would prevent the ouster of Hamas without a prolonged ground war conducted deep into Gaza. Kadima has twice initiated dramatic military operations. Twice the party has failed to consider the repercussions ahead of time and twice it has failed to properly complete the course of action. Are Kadima leaders proposing to "go all the way" this time, despite the military and international complications such a move would entail? Their response is crucial and they will not be able to avoid offering one. Once they do, the government would be wise to seriously consider such a proposal.
