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Would The Possibility of Hitting Fellow Palestinians Deter Rocket Attacks?

Alan Levine
SOURCE

Palestinian rocket fire continues into Israel as the ceasefire nears collapse. Southern Israel was hit with at least four rockets on Wednesday and two on Tuesday. Analysts now warn that while the ceasefire offered a needed respite for Israel’s embattled south, it provided Hamas an opportunity to arm.

Israel’s options now appear limited. The idea of retaking Gaza is terribly unpopular in Israel, but so is the thought of doing nothing. That’s why one Israeli parliamentarian is suggesting a controversial alternative. Gilad Erdan seeks to build an unfortified prison for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in the western Negev. He thinks that putting the jail between Israeli civilian centers and Gaza might deter the Palestinians from rocketing, for fear of hitting their own.

This measure would almost certainly be too controversial to pass. But, the question remains: would fear of hitting fellow Palestinians stop Hamas or other groups from attacking Israel?