Take initiative, don't wait for Hamas

The stalemate over cease-fire efforts between Israel and Hamas leaves Israel with three options: expanding the ground operation in Gaza Strip, suspending more ambitious operational plans in favor of focusing on neutralizing the terror tunnels, or unilaterally withdrawing from Gaza without a cease-fire agreement.

All three options have been visited by the cabinet and in situation assessments by the various political and military echelons. As of Sunday night, Israel has been focusing on the second option, and the debate has focused on whether or not to agree to another lull.

The dilemma here was whether to agree to Hamas' request for a humanitarian cease-fire after its operatives violated the truce twice in 24 hours, or reject the request and risk being perceived as denying the Palestinians a chance to celebrate Eid al-Fitr -- the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the month of Ramadan -- in peace.

Another possibility is to avoid any official agreement, and opt for a laconic statement saying that should the Palestinians halt their rocket fire, Israel will cease its strikes.

A statement to that effect was relayed to the Palestinians on Sunday, after Hamas violated the humanitarian cease-fire called for the morning hours. As all mediation efforts have faltered, and with the temporary disappearance of the various mediators, communication between the parties has been conducted via a relatively short route: Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, the coordinator of government activities in the territories, relayed the Israeli proposal to U.N. Middle East envoy Robert Serry, who in turn conveyed the message to Hamas official Razi Hamed.

Hamas has agreed to hold its fire and has asked for another lull. Israeli officials disagree on whether this was an indication that Hamas is in dire straits, or whether it seeks to alleviate the Palestinian population's distress while it re-arms itself, ahead of more violence.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, the trio overseeing Operation Protective Edge, backed by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Finance Minister Yair Lapid, and to some extent Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, seek to end the operation as soon as the terror tunnels are neutralized -- a maneuver that could also be accomplished with a prolonged lull or cease-fire in place.

This position was probably reinforced on Sunday, following U.S. President Barack Obama's demand that a cease-fire be reached, and concerns that pursuing the operation further would exacerbate the crisis brewing between Jerusalem and Washington, to the point where the latter would back anti-Israeli proposals brought before the U.N. Security Council.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, and to some extent Communications Minister Gilad Erdan, oppose a cease-fire at this time, and have demanded the IDF be allowed to expand Operation Protective Edge. The military presented the cabinet with a proposal to that effect last week, including a massive call-up of the reserves, but the ministers have yet to vote on it.

In the absence of a viable diplomatic solution, Israel may be required to make a decision within a short period of time. Given the circumstances it would be best if Israel was to take the initiative, instead of simply reacting to what Hamas does.

This could be achieved either by expanding the ground operations to further pressure Hamas, or by unilaterally ending the military campaign once the counter-tunnel operation in completed. This would create a dilemma for Hamas, as Israel would once again gain international legitimacy, while Hamas would face both internal and external pressure to hold its fire.

Should Hamas snub this opportunity as well, Israel would be able to resume its assault from a much better position, and the elimination of top Hamas operatives as soon as they emerge from hiding could be the best option to pursue.

Meanwhile, IDF troops are forging ahead with their anti-tunnel operations. The ground incursion into Gaza Strip has already resulted in many lessons that are bound to change the military's acquisition plans in the next few years -- subject to the defense budget, whose scope will most likely be the cause of Israel's next political war.

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