How Terrorism Ends: Understanding the Decline and Demise of Terrorist Campaigns

by Audrey Kurth Cronin

On the positive side, arguments for targeted killings include keeping terrorist leaders on the run, reducing their ability to carry out attacks, eliminating skilled operatives who are difficult to replace, and providing some means for Israeli political leaders to respond to domestic pressure. Some assert that the strategy also acts as a deterrent to terrorist action.68 Targeted killings have probably prevented specific strikes and saved some Israeli lives. Many point to evidence of a drop-off in the frequency and lethality of terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians, although determining the degree to which this outcome reflects “targeted killings” as opposed to better defensive measures (such as the border fence separating Palestinian areas from Israeli areas) is impossible. On the other hand, targeted killings have created Palestinian martyrs, drawn recruits to terrorist organizations, and resulted in retaliatory attacks against Israeli civilians.