The wider geopolitical ramifications apart, any escalation in the conflict will jeopardise the country’s carefully cultivated ties in West Asia and force it to take sides

Smoke and flames billow from targets hit in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, Oct. 10; (Photo: AP)

History has a dreadful habit of repeating itself in Israel. On October 6, 1973, basking in the phenomenal success of the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel was caught napping when Egypt and Syria launched attacks against it on Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days for Jews. Though Israel beat back the military offensive and recovered territory, the then prime minister, Golda Meir, paid the price for the massive intelligence failure when her party was reduced to a minority in parliamentary elections the next year.