Add the looming threat of a nuclear Iran to the anarchy and endemic dysfunction of the Middle East, and a four-day barrage of terrorist missiles from Gaza against Israel passes almost unnoticed.

From Friday to Tuesday, missiles rained down, forcing hundreds of thousands of Israelis into shelters. Among Palestinian terrorists, this is what amounts to tit-for-tat targeting.

The Israelis had used a surgical rocket strike to take out terror leader Zuhir al-Qaisi and a confederate who were planning a raid from Sinai.

Qaisi’s comrades retaliated by indiscriminately attacking men, women and children over the next four days. Hamas, which controls Gaza, let the terrorists fire at will. The hope was for a propaganda coup — in the form of Palestinian casualties — when the Israel Defense Forces responded.

The more sophisticated Palestinian weaponry was aimed at population centers. One rocket damaged a preschool, mercifully empty at the time. Four Israeli civilians were wounded, two seriously. The toll likely would have been much higher had Israel’s new Iron Dome missile defense not downed 56 rockets.

Of necessity, the Jewish state struck back, killing 24, mostly fighters from Islamic Jihad or other terror groups, destroying launching positions and a munitions storehouse.

So bad did the cross-border violence become that Egypt sought to broker a truce, announced late Tuesday morning.

Reports on Tuesday said the ceasefire was being “mostly observed.” Translation: Fewer than 10 rockets fired indiscriminately from Gaza at Israel.

Clearly, it is only a matter of time before those who dream of obliterating Israel return to their regularly scheduled programming. (© Copyright 2012 NYDailyNews.com. 03/14/12)