ABSTRACT
Improving the effectiveness of counterterrorism is a goal shared by all nations facing the threat of terrorism. There are many factors and obstacles that can hinder the realization of this important goal. One such factor, particularly with reference to targeted killing—indeed all lethal counterterrorism measures—may be unintentional deaths. Are targeted killings that result solely in the death of the designated terror target more effective in confronting suicide terrorism than targeted killings that result in the killing of the designated target and in unintended deaths? Chapter Four addresses the question at the heart of this book: How does legal or perceived legal compliance, in particular unintended deaths, impact the effectiveness of targeted killing? In light of the conclusions of chapters two and three, the degree of perceived legal compliance was analyzed by assessing the number of civilian casualties. The frequency and severity of suicide attacks in Israel were examined in relation to their temporal proximity to targeted killing actions that had different levels of resultant unintended deaths. The chapter demonstrates that targeted killings with unintended deaths were followed by a significantly greater number of suicide bombings and associated casualties as compared with targeted killings with no unintended deaths—a pattern particularly apparent in the West Bank. Thus, it is suggested in this chapter that pursuing what is perceived as legitimate counterterrorism measures or avoiding unintended deaths can be a means of enhancing the effectiveness of targeted killing and beyond.
