It seems clear that while the missile was directed at Israelis Hamas’ real target was Fatah, the ruling PA political party of Mahmoud Abbas.
While numerous analysts are trying to explain the timing of Hamas’ launching a missile 85 kilometers (53 miles) into Israel at a town north of Tel Aviv today, it seems clear that while the missile was directed at Israelis Hamas’ real target was Fatah, the ruling PA political party of Mahmoud Abbas.
Accordingly, Hamas’ firing the missile creates for it a win-win situation. If Israel does not do a strong reprisal it can show Palestinians that it attacks Israel’s population centers with immunity. Israel has lost its deterrence. They will present Israel as weak in the face of Hamas. If Israel does come back with a strong military response, Hamas is heroic in taking on the Israeli army.
Tragically for Israel, what we’re witnessing is that Hamas and Fatah are fighting each other with the onl weapon that they have that assures popularity amongst the broad spectrum of the Palestinian population- attempting to kill Israelis.