The endless wars

The Israel Gaza Strip conflict appears to have ended, for now. Following nearly 50 days of fighting (granted on and off fighting) Hamas emerged with a tiny bit more fishing area off its coast and some additional border lands. The price? Billions of dollars of infrastructure damage, 2,100 Palestinian dead, a handful of key, top commanders dead, its tunnel system devastated and its image as the protector of the Palestinians tarnished.

The impact on Israel was less severe. Indeed with 68 dead (including 64 soldiers) the human toll was significantly low given the devastation its fighters and tanks wrought on the Palestinian enclave. Indeed, the greatest impact appears to the hardening of already strong anti-Israeli views in the wider region and globe. Israel won't mind though.

These on and off wars are frustrating because they are so clearly unequal. Israel possess the geographic, man power and technical advantage over Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the plethora of other groups operating in the Gaza area. From advanced fighters, to heavy tanks and an intelligence structure easily among the top 5 in the world, the Palestinians face little to no chance against the Israelis. So why fight?

The Palestinian fighting groups were created to resist. If they do not, they cease to serve a purpose. They must, therefore, appear to be fighting the good fight otherwise the Palestinians will ask, why should we support you. The Palestinian fighting groups are also always positioning for influence and taking on Israel scores you some points. The Palestinians would like the world to believe that they are fighting as a single entity. They are not. They are divided.

So will there be another war? Yes. The cycles of peace and conflict are as consistent as the seasons. As long as Hamas et al remain in power with an unrevised constitution and general goal of rejecting Israel and demanding its destruction the ingredients for war will exist. Israel will also need to continue to respond to what is, in essence, a menace.