Israel Begins Ground Incursion into Gaza

An Israeli army flare lights up the sky above the Gaza Strip on July 17.(JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Analysis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared an intensification of Operation Protective Edge on July 17, and Israeli ground forces are now reportedly moving into the Gaza Strip. The start of a ground operation does not necessarily mean this will evolve into a large-scale ground war. Palestinian attempts to infiltrate Israel earlier in the morning, local time, by tunnel are a possible trigger for the current ground incursion. Such an incursion could take the form of a push into Gaza along the border areas to destroy existing tunnel networks and Hamas positions. Indeed, we have seen limited Israeli ground incursions in the last two major Gaza battles.

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If the current statements are taken at face value, the operation will include the perimeter of the Gaza Strip where tunnels and launching sites have proved to be a threat to Israel. However, conducting ground operations in this area opens Israeli armed forces up to mission creep, as engagements with Palestinian militants could draw forces into an extended ground operation. This would mean larger numbers of Israeli forces move deeper into Gaza, increasing the potential cost of the operation in terms of casualties for both sides.

Israel Defense Forces have been pounding the Gaza Strip with artillery fire in preparation for ground operations, and armor and infantry have been reported to have entered the Gaza Strip. There have also been reports of Apache helicopters and F-16 fighter-bomber aircraft flying low over Gaza. Engineering forces will also likely spearhead the combined arms operations to conduct demining activities.

That Netanyahu referred directly to an operation aimed at destroying tunnels that enable Hamas to infiltrate Israel implies that the operation is a direct response to an incident earlier today. Thirteen Palestinian militants tried to enter Israeli territory through a tunnel in southern Gaza but were stopped by ground forces and airstrikes. Apart from the rocket threat, infiltrations of Israeli territory by Palestinian militants pose a serious threat to Israel's security. Netanyahu's statement may also refer to the large array of smuggling tunnels between Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula. Hamas' rejection so far of an Egypt-proposed cease-fire has also given Israel the political cover to proceed with an intensification of its military campaign in Gaza.

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