Maybe. But here's what I posted on another thread. It's worth reading. (And I give you permission to "flame away")
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From all I've read this seems to be a war (or whatever) that Netanyahu didn't want and didn't plan on.
Netanyahu was (rightfully) angry with the unity pact with Hamas and Abbas...and the reaction to it from the Western governments.
I'm of the opinion that Netanyahu saw an opportunity to do damage to Hamas "using" the kidnapping of the three teenagers as "cover". All was going his way until the search went a little over the top with the bulldozing of houses, roundups and arrests and the shooting deaths of six Palestinian teenagers.
I also think this was the trigger for Hamas firing rockets into Israel. There was "calm" for two years, and I don't think Hamas woke up one morning and decided to piss off the giant on its border.
Initially Netanyahu called for restraint against Hamas and was applauded for his calm leadership by Western governments.
Then Lieberman bolted the coalition because Netanyahu wasn't taking on Hamas. This move left Likud with a one seat majority and set the stage for a possible call for early elections.
It was 24 hours after Leibrman's move putting Netanyahu's coalition and his position at real political risk that Netanyahu order the IDF to "take the gloves off" and sought to "protect the Israeli people".
Netanyahu lost political control and now has a war he didn't want and will do nothing in the long term except stroke the flames of rage and revenge on both sides.
Just in case you didn’t know, the surge in rocket attacks has been going on since January.
The rocket attacks surged in 2012, then quieted in 2013 for resupply, very possibly with Obama’s direct or indirect help.
On a least one point you’re right: Bibi probably has no long-term plan, he’s just giving himself political cover.
I think you have misread the situation. As I read it, Leiberman’s party never left the coalition. He did end some political alliances between the two parties but the government was intact. Its always possible that some of Netanyahu’s calculus was to protect his right flank politically speaking, the real bottom line is no government is legitimate unless it acts to protect its citizenry. Especially one that is militarily stronger than its violent enemies.
Israel actually has an opportunity because America has projected so much pitiful weakness. We have lost so much credibility in every part of the world, there is almost no point in our pressing Israel for concession on anything because the Arabs (and Muslims) are all but in an internecine war amongst themselves anyway. Whether it has the support of Western governments or not (I actually think Israel does have some tacit approvals because Abbas needs Hamas weakened, if they are even in a unity pact) Israel has this chance to realign some expectations.