Socialist Viewpoint

The destruction of an Israeli tank by a bomb planted by Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip has shocked many in Israel. This is the first time that the Palestinians have been able to destroy a heavily armored Israeli vehicle which until now have operated with impunity. The Merkava tank was totally destroyed and three of its crew were killed outright.

This latest attack may represent a significant escalation in the Palestinians ability to fight back against the Israeli army. The Merkava battle tank is seen by many Israelis as a symbol of the country’s military prowess. The version destroyed in this explosion—a Merkava 3—is one of the most modern and heavily protected tanks in the world. The explosion was sufficient to penetrate the vehicle, to topple the tank on its side and to blow off its heavy turret. The Israeli military suggest that up to 100 kilograms of explosive may have been used. But all the indications are that this was a well-planned Palestinian attack, that depended for its success upon the predictability of the Israeli response.

The tank was called in after a civilian convoy was ambushed by Palestinian fighters. The explosion may well have set off ammunition carried inside the tank, which would explain why the turret was blown off. The type of device used in the attack is one that was widely used by Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. And it will clearly force the Israeli army to look closely at the tactics it is employing against Palestinian fighters.

But the psychological impact of the incident will be much greater than its practical implications

Public opinion shift?

The attack is a significant success for the Palestinians who have watched Israeli heavy armor move around with impunity. But the Lebanese parallel will not be lost on the Israelis. There are already strong undercurrents inside Israel questioning the wisdom of current policies towards the Palestinians. Some reserve officers have publicly refused to serve in the occupied territories. Some would argue that parallels between Lebanon and the Intifada could be over-done. But the Sharon Government’s critics point to the fact that a significant change in the Israeli public mood was a key factor in encouraging a previous government to withdraw from Lebanon.

Jonathan Marcus is a BBC defense correspondent