Israel withdrew from Gaza in August 2005 in a land-for-peace swap. At the time, authorities evacuated more than 8,000 people in 21 Jewish settlements. In addition, nearly 40 synagogues were dismantled, and even the deceased were not left behind. 47 bodies were excavated from Gaza's Gush Katif cemetery prior to the Israeli withdrawal.

Since that withdrawal in 2005, there have been more than 2,300 mortar shells fired into Israel from Gaza. Since Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007 the rocket barrage has steadily increased. In fact, Hamas has fired 1,685 rockets into Israel, with more than 1,212 rockets launched just in the last year.

The truth is that Israel gave up its land but received rocket shells instead of peace in return. So far, Gaza's rockets and mortars are responsible for killing 17, wounding 851, and terrorizing more than 200,000 Jews.

Last week's invasion of Gaza was the fourth time since 2005 that Israel has chosen to use military force to try and quell the rocket attacks. Three previous missions were meant to deal once and for all with the Gaza rocket menace. However, each mission failed in its objective to achieve peace.

So, why attempt the latest military mission into Gaza when three previous missions have already failed to stop the rocket attacks? Because it would be hard to win the upcoming Israeli election when incoming Hamas rocket fire highlight a failed policy and a bankrupt peace plan.

Israeli leaders Ehud Olmert and Tzipi Livni have been supporting a plan backed by America, the European Union, and the United Nations in which Israel would give up more Israeli land in exchange for a new Palestinian state. The plan is based on the dubious assumption that the new land would not be used as a base for more attacks on Israel.

The truth is that this new land-for-peace swap has been an objective of the current interim Israeli prime minister Tzipi Livni. Land-for-peace was also the goal of the previous Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. However, years of failure in trying to prevent Hamas rocket fire from Gaza have made the case against using land as a political bargaining tool for peace with Palestine.

Since Likud candidate and former Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not support a land-for-peace swap, the daily rocket fire of Hamas was acting to insure a Likud victory. Netanyahu has long believed that militants will continue to attack across any new Israeli-Palestinian frontier.

The current proposed model for peace in Israel is called the two state solution. Israel would relinquish its hold of Samaria and Judea. In return, Hamas would promise recognition of Israel and peace would be at hand. The new peace plan is based on the same old formula that has already failed in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu's lead in the public opinion polls has prompted this latest military mission in an effort to change the political conversation in Israel. The truth is that this invasion by Israel of Gaza was probably long overdue to insure security in the south.

Still, it appears to be a short term mission for a political purpose without a realistic long term military objective. As a result it will eventually fall short once again of stopping Hamas rockets.

Four invasions of Gaza in the last three years without achieving peace highlight the failure of current Israeli leadership. With Benjamin Netenjahu and right-wing Likud in the lead in most public opinion polls, the timing of Israel's latest invasion of Gaza appears politically motivated.

Israel does not have a partner in peace in Palestine. As long as Palestinians support terrorist organizations like Hamas, there is no practical solution for peace for Israel. The latest military invasion of Gaza was undertaken in the name of security, but its timing is political and may well be due to ballot box fear.

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