№ 3 — 2018 — 7
УДК 327.56(569.14)
Ermakov A. A., Ryzhov I. A.
EVOLUTION OF THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE RADICALS OF THE GAZA STRIP: LIEBERMAN’S MILITARY DOCTRINE
Escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in 2018 was expected, since the confrontation between Tel Aviv and the radicals of the Gaza Strip after operation «Protective Edge» in 2014 was intense, and the military doctrine presented by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman showed the Israeli dedication to finishing the fight. Today, the same as in the time of 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, the Israelis are making efforts to destroy the key elements of the military infrastructure of the radicals and prevent the restoration of them. Another important element in the implementation of the strategy is the strengthening of the border area, as its noticeable imbalance (settlements in the north of Israel are protected worse than in the southern ones) weakens Israeli position in the conflict with the radicals operating on borders. The situation is complicated by the heterogeneity of successfully cooperating with each other anti-Israeli forces operating in the Gaza Strip, along with Hamas, the radical movement «Islamic Jihad» stands out. The successful implementation of this doctrine may result in the weakening of the military power of the radicals and, as a consequence, in reducing the possibility of a large-scale conflict. However, the measures taken by the Israeli side are not sufficient enough to completely neutralize the military threat from the Palestinian enclave. The demilitarization of the sector is an important step towards the end of the confrontation, but its achievement is unlikely in the near future and the Gaza-based radicals will remain one of the most threatening enemies for Israel.
Keywords: the State of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces, Avigdor Lieberman, strategic doctrine, Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Gaza Strip, Hamas, «Islamic Jihad», «Hezbollah», rearguard
