Four years ago, 21 days since the beginning of operation “Cast
Lead”, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared that: “the
Cabinet has agreed to comply with my offer and order a cease
fire”. Last week Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu gave
a similar statement in which he declared that a cease fire has
been taken into effect. Unlike Olmert, Bibi agreed to a cease
fire after 8 days of aerial bombardment, much to the upset of
many Israelis who expected a harsh Israeli ground offensive that
will give a big blow to Hamas. The two Gaza campaigns share
striking similarities, therefore stands the question: why did
Netanyahu who is more hawkish and more politically aware than
Olmert decided to stop the fighting after one week only?  In his
speech at the press conference that ended operation “Pillar of
Defense” Bibi explained that “while taking into account all
considerations – military and political alike. This is what a
responsible government does”. An analysis of the political and
military considerations s