I get the impression that the gas molecules are not being ionized, the electrons merely pass between them. Thinking some more about this, does not dielectric b

I get the impression that the gas molecules are not being ionized, the electrons merely pass between them. Thinking some more about this, does not dielectric breakdown in gases depend on electrons gaining sufficient energy to cause ionization in collisions with the molecules [1]? With the gap well below the mean free path, perhaps they cannot reach that speed at the voltages being used? [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschen's_law#Physical_mechanism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschen's_law#Physical_mechani...