A MUST-READ by Lee Smith:

The Israeli raid on Gaza that started late Saturday morning may last several weeks, and ground operations are certainly a possibility. Israel's goal is not to drive Hamas from power, only for the simple reason that there is no one else obviously capable of ruling Gaza at this point. What Israel wants is to compel Hamas to sue for a restoration of the truce, and thus deal the resistance a withering blow that it cannot easily sell as a victory in the aftermath. There is a larger regional strategy involved as well, which has several ramifications for Lebanon, one short-term, one medium-term and another long-range.

Keep reading.