Two days after Hamas and other Palestinian factions launched an unprecedented surprise attack from Gaza, killing more than 700 Israelis and taking more than 100 hostages, Israeli forces continue to battle for control of several towns in southern Israel. Year after year, observers have been warning that the status quo in Gaza could not last, and yet year after year it stubbornly did. It was a testament to how sustainable an unsustainable situation can be—until the moment, which often comes as a surprise, when it no longer is. Saturday’s attack marked that moment in Israel’s standoff with Hamas. It also represented a shocking military and intelligence failure, as Israeli forces were taken by surprise by an operation that undoubtedly required months of planning.

Source: The North Africa Journal October 09, 2023 12:46 UTC