Israel, Hamas both trapped

[Behind the Aegis]

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz described yesterday's Palestinian attack on IDF positions near Kerem Shalom as an "act of terror." But the incident on the Gaza border was more of a guerrilla attack than a terror attack: A small, skilled force managed to surprise high-level IDF troops, to kill two soldiers, to kidnap another soldier and to sustain relatively few losses.

Taking into consideration the ease with which the Hamas and Popular Resistance Committees members acted, it appears that they could easily have also infiltrated the neighboring kibbutz and massacred civilians.

There were reports last night, after the cabinet meeting, about an extensive air and ground operation that the IDF has received permission to carry out. But the truth is that at this stage, Israel is limited in how it can react. The top priority right now is the return of the kidnapped soldier. The first 48 hours after the abduction will be dedicated to intensive efforts to exert pressure on the Palestinians, through every channel possible, in an effort to force them to return Corporal Gilad Shalit.

Indeed last night Defense Minister Amir Peretz told Shalit's father that the primary consideration is to bring him home safely. The United States and Egypt (whose security delegation is in Gaza) will play a major role in these talks. They will need to explain to the Palestinians that this time Israel is serious and that if the soldier is not released, the IDF response will be far harsher than in the past.

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