Suggestions for ending the Gaza carnage

[DetlefK]

This post is sort of a reply to my own words, posted in another thread some while ago. I stated at the beginning of the Israel-Hamas-Gaza-war, that "Honestly, I don't see any other solution than violence." I'd like to clarify that remark.
"Violence" can have a variety of meanings and degrees. My plan is (put short) to replace military violence with political violence.






It has been relatively quiet in Israel, because the Palestinians were busy with themselves. Fatah was the corrupt ruler, Hamas the honorable underdog. Then Hamas won the elections and Fatah was deposed. However, Hamas was unable to quell the animosities and a conflict between Fatah and Hamas erupted. A short civil war took place. Hamas won in Gaza, Fatah won in the West-bank.

And this is, where I see a major problem: Israel and Hamas don't respect each other, which means, they don't negotiate with each other and don't mind at all, fighting each other.
Israel knows, that Fatah was most of the time willing to negotiate. And as long as everybody thinks, the negotiations will produce something favorable, they keep on talking and talking and talking... and don't fight. I don't think, that Israel would as easily go to war with Fatah.

1. Immediate ceasefire

Israel is fighting, because they think that offense is the best defense. It's part of their psychology as a nation and their history as people.

Hamas is fighting, because it has to show strength. If Hamas wouldn't look like a major player, it would be left out of the political process.

2. Re-Uniting Hamas and Fatah

Only both parties together can claim to speak for the Palestinians. Hamas won the election, but it has only limited (un-coerced) support.
Willingness to negotiate can be a sign of strength. >>The government party is willing to let the minority party take part in the negotiations with Israel.<< If it can be sold that way to the public, then Hamas could be willing to work together with Fatah.
Fatah, on the other hand, would get limited control over the fate of Gaza, thus ensuring additional prestige for it's politicians.

3. Gaza and Israel's security

Israel won't accept anything short of permanent security for it's citizens. (They can't. Elections are upcoming...)
Hamas won't give up control of Gaza, as it has conquered it with bloodshed from Fatah.

My suggestion is to de-militarize Gaza. How?

4. Bilateral cooperation between Israel and Palestine

My suggestion is to create a bilateral commission, consisting of israeli and palestinian members. Maybe staff from the EU, the UN or the Arabic League could join as observers and/or counselors. Both the Fatah and Hamas would send an equal number of members to the commission.

This commission would function as weapons inspectors for Gaza. All and any weaponry found in Gaza, shall be destroyed.
Israel would gain security.
Fatah would regain political influence over Gaza.
As Hamas regains political influence in the West-bank, it is possibly willing to give up it's role as de-facto-ruler of Gaza. (How much weaponry has Hamas left there anyway? Israel is bombing the shit out of them.)

5. The border

Israel will leave the border open for an unlimited stream of goods and a limited stream of people, as long as the weapons inspectors stay in Gaza and keep it weapon-free.

6. Long-term implications

As you can see, my plan relies heavily on the willingness of Hamas to cooperate with Fatah and to negotiate with Israel. As Israel, Fatah and Hamas get used to working with each other, they maybe will get used to living with each other. A permanent bilateral treaty and cooperation might be the cornerstone for future peace-negotiations.