Operation Determined Path

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Second Intifada

Operation Determined Path (Hebrew: מבצע דרך נחושה‎, Mivtza Derekh Nehosha) was a military operation carried out by the Israel Defense Forces, starting June 22, 2002, following Operation Defensive Shield, with the goal of reaching some of the unreached objectives set forth for Defensive Shield, especially in the northern West Bank.

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[edit] Background

While Operation Defensive Shield severely undermined the offensive capabilities of Fatah and Hamas and eliminated or captured most of their military leadership, many objectives were abandoned due to international pressure and allegations of a massacre in Jenin.

In order to avoid the perceived mistakes of Defensive Shield, a decision was made to deploy small scattered troop formations instead of the massive force used in the previous operation.

[edit] Operation

During Operation Determined Path, the following measures were taken:

  • Curfews of all major cities in the West Bank, to prevent Palestinian militant movement and civilian casualties
  • Dozens of targeted raids for arrests and intelligence gathering
  • Assassination of important militants and militant forces
  • Raids on Palestinian Authority offices and seizure of incriminating evidence confirming its ties with various terror groups
  • Acting on intelligence to prevent terrorist acts within Israel
  • House demolition
  • Raids on weapon and bomb laboratories

[edit] Results

Although it never officially ended, the operation was deemed a relative success, both in the short and long term. It managed to curb terrorist acts in Israel to a near-stop for almost a month and significantly improved Israel's intelligence gathering and targeted deterrent capabilities.

[edit] Criticism

Factors on the Israeli extreme left and worldwide human rights organizations accused Israel of using collective punishment, especially curfews and house demolitions, which according to them was unwarranted considering the circumstances. Some organizations accused Israel of using human shields and other war crimes during the operation.

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