ABSTRACT
The confrontation between Israel and the Hamas in July–August 2014 was another round between them, following the former ones in December 2008–January 2009 and in November 2012. Israel's main goal was to keep the status quo, whereas the Hamas wanted to change it. The Hamas built its reputation as an organization that takes care of the community and therefore has some experience in handling domestic demands, similar to the way a government has. The Hamas assumed that firing on the Israeli rear would push the Israeli population to urge their government to reach a cease fire, accepting terms benefitting Hamas. Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and other groups in the Gaza Strip had about 11,000 rockets in the beginning of July 2014. The skirmishes that had to do with the tunnels were mostly inside the Gaza Strip. Israeli soldiers had to be on alert in case Hamas fighters pop up suddenly from some shaft, aiming at harming and/or capturing Israelis.
