“Israel’s successful targeted killing of one of Hamas’ top 3 (some would say the number 1) strategic figure opens a new chapter in the bloody and complicated relationship between Israel and Hamas. Putting aside the phrases that are being used to describe this operation (‘The Israeli Bin Laden operation’, ‘The biggest blow to Hamas in years’, ‘The first game changer since Operation Cast Led’), three immediate comments need to be pointed out:

1. From the military perspective – Operation ‘Pillar of Defence’ is a major intelligence and operational success. The method of targeted killings, which was launched in the Israeli battle against Hamas in the last decade, has been proven yet again to be a very precise and lethal technique which manages to eliminate targets with little collateral damage. It proves again that Israel has the upper hand when it comes to intelligence and operational skills and that no one is immune from the possibility of being viewed, targeted and assassinated.”

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