I don't buy that, Amos. Israel was waiting eagerly for such provocation, in my opinion. Such provocations can always be found in such a situation...but if they are not found, then they can be arranged or manufactured (like the Tonkin Gulf incident that never happened).

No such situation in the Arab-Israeli conflict is EVER unilateral, because both sides have been offering each other various provocations on a pretty steady basis ever since the conflict began. There have been a thousand excuses on both sides for starting a major war. Hell, ten thousand. The responsibility is still upon the one who sets that major war in motion...and he invevitably will do it at a time of his own choosing, when he figures he can gain the most out of it.

The Israeli government, in this last case, figured wrong. They miscalculated.

That war was not fought over a handful of killed or kidnapped Israeli soldiers. (in my opinion) They were the excuse for starting it...and a good way to get the Israeli public upset enough so they would support it.