Control of Gaza: An Imperative for Israel …

Israel Must Control Gaza’s Borders – All of Them, By Gerald M. Steinberg

Excerpts;

The return of the IDF to Gaza marks the end of the first phase of the
post-disengagement experiment, less than a year after it began. The two immediate causes are obvious: Palestinian tunnelling from Gaza into Israel, resulting in the killing of two soldiers and the kidnapping of another; and the escalating rocket attacks against Sderot and elsewhere.

But the underlying factor, and the more lasting impact, is the rediscovery that as long as the Palestinian war continues, there is not substitute for an Israeli military presence on the ground. The innovative arrangements that accompanied the withdrawal of Israelimilitary forces from Gaza in August 2005 have all collapsed.

Once again, the pessimists turned out to be realists. The transfer of
responsibility for preventing the smuggling of weapons and terrorists to Egyptian and European border monitors was a complete failure. The warheads of the Kassams and the anti-tank missiles fired in the recent attack were brought in under their noses – or perhaps their feet.

WHEN PRIME minister Ariel Sharon decided to remove the IDF from the 13-kilometer long Philadelphi corridor that separates Gaza from Egypt, many Israelis warned of what might happen.

AFTER PAYING a high price, Israel has rediscovered the fundamental need for direct control over the border between Gaza and the Egyptian Sinai.

Having relied on Egypt and Europe to no avail, Israel now has no choice but to resume direct control over Gaza’s borders.