Weekly Commentary: Will Complacence Stop Israel from Preparing for the 100K
Gaza Challenge?
Dr. Aaron Lerner 17 March, 2018

Once again threats from Hamas have fizzled out as they failed to deliver on
their threat of massive protests against the Jewish State.

This may encourage Israeli decision makers to take a complacent attitude
towards Hamas threats to send 100,000 Gazans into Israel as we celebrate 70
years of independence and the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem.

But we can't afford to ignore this challenge.

Hamas threatens to launch the invasion with a massive rally a kilometer
(around a thousand yards) away from the fence.

Hamas has held huge rallies in the past.

They could pull it off again.

And if the keynote speaker at the rally opts to call for the masses to walk
to the fence there's a good chance that a large part of the crowd does
indeed start to make its way towards Israel.

How long would it take for the first thousands to reach the fence?

Do the math.

A normal walking speed is 5 kilometers an hour.

So that's twelve minutes WALKING from the rally to the fence.

Authorizing the IDF to do whatever is necessary to prevent the Gazans from
crossing the fence doesn't come close to addressing the challenge.

I am confident that the IDF has the firepower to stop 100,000 Gazans from
crossing into Israel.

But that's not the operative question.

The question is what technologies and tactics Israel can apply to this
challenge short of sheer firepower.

Because one thing is certain: if we do end up finding ourselves shooting
live rounds into a mass of 100,00 Gazans pressing their way into Israel
that's exactly the question everyone will be asking.
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il