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Unlike the previous 2 Gaza operations, the IDF is now engaged in house-to-house combat in a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza.  Shejaiya, the eastern neighborhood of Gaza City, is only two kilometers from the Israeli border. 

 

Many houses in Shejaiya hide entrances to tunnels, most of which lead several kilometers under the border into Israel.  The tunnels are a hiding place for terrorists and storage for rockets and other weapons.  Hamas started to use the tunnels for murder-kidnapping attacks on communities and soldiers near the border.  

 

Israel was surprised by the number, size and sophistication of the underground network.  Estimated to cost several million dollars each, the solid concrete tunnels have lighting, ventilation and electricity.  The number of cross-border tunnels is currently estimated at 60, but could be higher.  Israel considers their destruction critical to the safety of Israel's citizens.

 

Also a first, Israel destroyed a hospital - the al-Wafa rehab hospital was also a Hamas command centre and rocket launch site.  Israel gave advance warning to allow evacuation of patients.

 

Gaza tunnels take Israel by surprise

    

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Getting From Gaza to Israel by tunnel New York Times

Video of Hamas's Tunnels

 

The hospital that was also a Hamas command centre Times of Israel

As evidenced by the failed cease-fire negotiations, Israel and Hamas are far apart on their demands for a long term truce.  Israel wants to destroy the tunnels and Hamas's ability to launch rockets.  Hamas demands an open border, which would allow it to re-finance and re-build its war supplies and infrastructure.

 

The wild card is world opinion.  To date, world leaders have shown uncharacteristic understanding of Israel's situation.  But with the ground operation inevitably causing an increase in civilian casualties, the anti-Israel crowds are out in force and this could increase pressure on Israel to compromise on its truce conditions.

 

Is Israel Losing a War It's Winning? The Atlantic

    

         

"Mowing the Grass" in Gaza Begin-Sadat Centre for Strategic Studies

Michael Oren says Hamas must be crushed Washington Post

Many deplore the world's collective inability or refusal to see through Hamas's strategy of using its civilians as human shields. 

 

 

Rabbi says "I'm Done Apologizing for Israel"  Huffington Post

Stop the Grindstone of Israeli-Palestinian Violence David Grossman  New York Times