The Israel Defense Forces recently conducted a simulation "war game" about what would happen the day after Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat passes away.
| What's the start date on the exercise? |
The exercise examined several possible scenarios and how Arafat's death - by natural causes - would influence the domestic situation in the Palestinian Authority and its relations with Israel.... Security sources said that the exercise was not the result of any new information about Arafat's health....
| Cheez, even the IDF is behind Rantburg. We've been war-gaming this scenario for months! |
The army regards "the day after" as a "new chapter" in Palestinian Authority - and Palestinian - history. The assumption is that everything that will take place - the funeral, mass demonstrations, power struggles for the leadership - will lead to a change in the Palestinians' strategic relationship with Israel. The exercise included issues like where the funeral would be held, the possibility of violent demonstrations, loss of control by the Palestinian Authority, and attempts by Hamas to forcibly grab power in Gaza.
| Finish the security fence! |
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