“Syria has drawn three major lessons from the war and has begun to implement them. The first is that rockets – 4,000 struck northern Israel during the 33-days of fighting – can paralyze the home front. The second is that antitank missiles can penetrate the Merkava tank and force infantry units to abandon armored personnel carriers and trek into enemy territory by foot. And the third is that in villages and cities the Israeli Air Force’s abilities are limited and IDF ground forces can be defeated.” [Jerusalem Post, 21 Dec., Emphasis added].
The IDF has begun to implement some lessons, too, including a defense against antitank missles. The short-range rockets are another story, and an answer must be found here as well. But the lesson must also be learned that Israel cannot afford to pull punches because of the danger to noncombatants.