Ten Top Questions about the ongoing Israel-Hamas confrontation

By Walid Phares

Following are ten top questions needed to engage in strategic discussion of the ongoing Israel-Hamas confrontation in Gaza. These items can be altered if ground developments would take different directions in the next days or weeks.

1. What is Israel's strategy and goals regarding the ongoing campaign in Gaza. Will it be mostly an air campaign with limited ground action or will it include a vast land campaign as well? What are the tangible goals?

2. Who is winning the propaganda war: Israel or Hamas? How is Arab and international media covering the clashes and to whose advantage?

3. How are Arab Governments reacting to the confrontation? Egypt, Saudi, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco, others. Are the demonstrations putting significant pressure on these Governments?

4. Hassan Nasrallah called on an Arab Islamic revolt to support Hamas. Will Hezbollah intervene to help Hamas? can it? If yes, how?

5. Will Iran escalate against Israel in support of Hamas and how? Was Tehran behind Hamas escalation leading to the Israeli retaliation?

6. Will Hamas strike outside southern Israel?

7. Can Mahmoud Abbas convince most Palestinians to shift their support to the Palestinian Authority instead of Hamas? Can the PA influence return to Gaza anymore?

8. How will President Bush and President elect Obama react to the ongoing conflict in Gaza over the next few weeks and months?

9. Is there a possible new UN initiative to bring about a different solution in Gaza?

10. If Israel engages further in land operations in Gaza, how far will Hamas go in attacks against Israel and possibly in the West and the United States?

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Dr Walid Phares is the Director of the Future Terrorism Project of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

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