Shelah: Hurt Hamas to buy us a 'long period of quiet'

While the right has called for a retaking of the Gaza Strip, other lawmakers are urging a more restrained strategy. MK Ofer Shelah, the most senior Yesh Atid lawmaker on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee (and a one-time contender for chair of the committee), urges a “realistic goal” for Operation Protective Edge.

“A realistic goal,” he says, “is the delivery of such a blow to Hamas, to its capabilities and motivation, that it will give us a long period of quiet.

“Hamas is in a bad state strategically. It’s choked by Egypt,” surrounded by Israel, and rules over a collapsing economy, he suggests.

“We have to give them a reason to understand that the only way to avoid their dire situation getting worse is quiet on their front with us.”