Even if Israel refrains from harsh reprisals for Sunday's lethal terror attack, there is no getting around the fact that the Palestinian population will suffer from the steps the Israel Defense Forces will take to prevent other such attacks, such as the erection of additional checkpoints.

The IDF will also continue its large-scale arrest operations, which, to date, have nabbed some 700 terror suspects in the West Bank.

Sunday's attack in Gush Etzion was the most serious attack in the West Bank since the disengagement, and it should be viewed as proof that some of the terror organizations want to reignite the fighting in the West Bank. There is still no confirmation of the claim of responsibility issued by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, but if this Fatah-affiliated organization was responsible, it makes the incident even more serious from the standpoint of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is now on a diplomatic tour overseas.

In any event, if the PA does not rethink its approach to terror, it is doubtful that the PA's parliamentary elections will be able to take place.

The attack surprised both sides. Though there has been sporadic shooting at IDF vehicles in the West Bank, the unarmed hitchhikers waiting for rides at the Gush Etzion Junction clearly did not expect to come under fire. The attack was also a surprise to the PA, judging by the official statement it released about the number of terror attacks that it has thwarted. This list is exaggerated, but Israeli officials confirm that the PA has foiled a number of attempted strikes.

As usual, Sunday's attack prompted a variety of proposals for reprisals against the Palestinians. But the IDF General Staff, as well as senior commanders in the field, have a different proposal: They argue that the IDF should focus primarily on continuing its wide-ranging efforts to thwart terror attacks - efforts that have thus far resulted in the arrest of several hundred suspected terrorists, and have continued even after the government decided on various measures to ease life for Palestinian civilians in honor of the Ramadan holiday. These conciliatory measures, however, could effectively be canceled, constituting an indirect punishment for the attack. In addition, Israel is now unlikely to give the PA responsibility for additional West Bank cities.