Hamas Abducts Israeli Soldier, Threatens Israel's Re-Emergence in Gaza

Strategic Insights -

Palestinian militant group Hamas has kidnapped an Israeli soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, and killed two others in an early morning raid on an army post in the Gaza Strip. The soldier was abducted from a tank under rocket and grenade fire from Palestinian militants who had infiltrated into Israel through a tunnel under the border from Gaza. The incident has prompted Israel to threaten its first major offensive in the Gaza Strip since it withdrew last year. Israel's diplomatic efforts to secure Cpl. Shalit's release have been accompanied by the threat of harsh Israeli retaliation and a new assassination campaign against Hamas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hamas militants kidnapped Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit and killed two others in an early morning raid on an army post in the Gaza Strip.
  • The incident occurred on the same day that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, met to discuss border infiltration.
  • Hamas claimed the attack was a message to Israel that the Islamist organization is capable of striking deep inside the country.
  • Israel sent ground troops into Gaza to search for Cpl. Shalit and threatened harsh retaliation, including targeting Hamas-controlled institutions.
  • The international community has called on Hamas to release the captive, with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh suggesting that Hamas militants should not harm their captive.
  • Mark Heller, a fellow at Tel Aviv University's Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, noted that Israel may face difficulties in distinguishing between Hamas-controlled institutions and individuals under the control of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Statistics:

  • 19: The age of kidnapped Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
  • 2: The number of Palestinian militants killed in the early morning raid on the army post.
  • 3: The number of Israeli soldier abducted by Hezbollah from the Israeli-Lebanon border in 2000.
  • 7: The number of family members killed in a beach explosion two weeks ago.
  • 2000: The year in which Hezbollah abducted three Israeli soldiers from the Israeli-Lebanon border.
  • Thousands: The number of Palestinian comrades expected to be released by Israel in exchange for Cpl. Shalit's safe return.
  • 1: The first major Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip since its withdrawal last year.

Sources:

  • THE WASHINGTON TIMES - Tyler J. Moss, "Hamas Assassins Infiltrate Israeli Army, Kill 2, Abduct Soldier"
  • Ha'aretz newspaper
  • THE WASHINGTON TIMES TEL AVIV - report by Joshua Mitnick
  • Mark Heller, a fellow at Tel Aviv University's Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies