The War in Gaza: Outcomes and Achievements

Israel’s military assault on Gaza can be analyzed from different aspects. Atrocities committed by Israel during the 22-day war, with near 1400 Palestinians dead and 5300 injured, inevitably foregrounded the humane part of the catastrophe. But the war can lead us to other realities.

One of the major results of this violent war was that the Zionist regime didn’t even achieve a minor military victory. From what Israeli politicians have said, their minimum expectation of this all-out war was to exterminate military abilities of resistance groups and put an end to rocket-firing towards Israeli settlements.

However, their main objective was to wipe out Hamas, take revenge after failure in Annapolis, regain control of Gaza and hand it to Palestinian Authority. But now we see that despite the heavy bombardment, Hamas has retained its organization and members, and through Al-Aqsa Channel, it has managed to speak out. Also, up to the last moment of war, Hamas was firing rockets in response to Israel’s assault.

The Israeli army had set three basic stages for its military operation:

- heavy bombardment of targets including all offices and military and infrastructural centers of Gaza by jet fighters of Israeli Air Force and Navy;

- ground attack on Gaza to occupy the strip and destroy the channels connecting Gaza and Sinai Desert and annex Gaza Strip to other occupied territories;

- handing Gaza to Mahmoud Abbas’ forces and putting an end to resistance and Hamas’ life in Gaza; a plan pre-arranged with United States and some European and Arab countries. The process would need two-weeks according to Israel’s estimation.

The first stage of operation lasted one week and US-made F16s destroyed 300 offices and public buildings with 130-160 flight missions. People houses were also attacked and a number of civilians were killed.

The rubbles reminded us of earthquakes. According to estimations about 5000 buildings plus all infrastructures have been ruined and the damage has cost nearly 2 billion dollars. The second stage started when Israeli ground force summoned 60,000 reserve members and set out for an incursion in Gaza with 7 brigades.

After two weeks of incessant raids, the Gulani brigade and armored units entered Gaza through 6 axes, though only progressing in agricultural lands and plains and after demolishing Palestinians’ houses to arrive at the gates of major cities like Gaza, Khan Younis and Rafah. In all the axes of attack Israel achieved at most a 500-1500 meter progress in Gaza Strip since it faced fierce resistance by civilians and warriors.

The Israeli army didn’t even succeed it cutting across the narrowest part of the Gaza Strip with a 4-kilometer width to arrive at the Mediterranean Sea and join the troops who had landed via sea. That’s when a normal walk of one hour is enough to arrive at the sea through this path.

After two weeks of war and killing 450 children, 110 women and a great number of Gaza residents, the Israeli army couldn’t break the barriers of resistance and control Gaza Strip. Reportedly, the Israeli army had a casualty of 183 killed and 350 injured in this war.

Under heavy bombardment and tank shells, the Palestinians chose resistance and regardless of all the destruction, did not leave their houses and blocked Israelis’ way. Meanwhile, Hamas fired 20-50 rockets each day into the Israeli territory, despite what the Zionist government expected. The extended range of rockets, their number and Israeli officials’ inability to stop them raised protest among Israeli citizens. It is not odd to say the Israeli army was heavily defeated by Palestinians’ resistance, forced to end the war started itself.

The humiliating defeat of Israel occurred when during the first week of the conflict, its leaders were sure about their victory and routing resistance and Hamas. There were news about a certain Arab state offering Hamas leaders to leave Gaza by Israel’s consent through a safe route. Some Arab leaders didn’t doubt Israel’s victory. However, not only did not Hamas and Palestinians surrender under Israeli fire, but also they stood up against the occupiers and countered their attack.

Israel achieved none of its goals in this war. It did not stop rocket-firing, it didn’t release its captive soldiers, it did not fully debilitate Hamas’ military power, it did not topple Hamas, and it did not displace Palestinians through massacre. The Israeli regime only managed to show its slaughterous face to the world with this war. It didn’t leave even one place intact. UN buildings, schools, the Gaza University, mosques and hospitals all were targets of attack and against eyes of the world, people were killed and displaced. Israel is definitely the most unpopular country for the public opinion of the world and a threat for international peace and security.

Now everybody feels that a world without Zionism and Israel is more secure. The war in Gaza also removed the United States’ mask and was another page in George Bush’s record as the most fervent warmonger in the world. Obama’s silence also tarnished his image just before entering the White House. United States’ incessant military, political and diplomatic support for Israel has made this country an accomplice of Israel’s crimes.

Hamas has now become the symbol of Islamic resistance, the second group after Hezbollah that defeated Israel. With its fully-equipped army, Israel achieved nothing against defenseless, surrounded, empty-handed people. The war had ended for Israel since the moment it begun.