In order to restrain Hamas, Israel will have to grant it notable achievements, which in turn would entrench its legitimacy and strengthen its rule over Gaza.
The Gaza Strip: What Can Israel Do to Postpone – or Even Prevent – the Next Round of Violence?
This article examines three options for Israel regarding the reconstruction of Gaza. None of these options are optimal for Israel, as they do not guarantee a long term lull in hostilities – although two have the advantage of including a political initiative, which could extricate Israel from its international isolation and facilitate a breakthrough in the political deadlock. Nonetheless, it seems that at this stage, the option of Israeli efforts to help rebuild the Gaza Strip and improve the living conditions of the population is the most aligned with Israeli interests. This analysis draws on an assessment of the Israeli leadership and the slim prospect of a successful resumption of the negotiations with the PA under Abbas; certainly this is the case over the next six months, while the Israeli elections maintain the political deadlock. However, there is tension in this option between the need to rein in Hamas and the fact that the Israeli assistance will lead to a strengthening of Hamas’ rule in the Gaza Strip and the rehabilitation of its legitimacy. In addition, this result is not consistent with Egypt's interests, and it can weaken the PA.
