The ongoing humanitarian distress in the Gaza Strip may spark processes of escalation and deterioration that result in another round of conflict between Hamas and Israel. Hamas’ rule is the object of much criticism from the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and is regularly challenged by extreme jihad organizations, which stress the absence of any benefit from the current lull championed by Hamas, and are increasing their efforts at violent resistance against Israel.

The dire situation in the Gaza Strip presents Israel with two imperatives requiring the expedition of reconstruction processes in the Gaza Strip. One is a moral imperative: Israel traditionally and consistently offers aid to disaster regions around the world (from Syria to Nepal), and regards such aid as an expression of binding human and Jewish values. Israel is thus hard pressed to explain why it lends assistance to remote areas hit by natural disasters, while ignoring the severe humanitarian plight near its border. The second imperative is strategic, involving the effort to prevent the outbreak of another round of conflict.

Clearly, therefore, Israel has an interest in hastening the process of reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, even though the way to do so under the existing strategic conditions poses a series of dilemmas regarding Israel’s interests regarding the Gaza Strip. These dilemmas and the tension they create demand wise caution for both the complicated diplomatic maneuvering and the measures required to rebuild the area. Israel must be fully aware of the price of Gaza reconstruction, so that it can define the conditions under which it is willing to bear this price.

Read the analysis in full at the INSS.