For Israel, Gaza Offers a Range of Risky Choices

[Phx_Dem]

By STEVEN ERLANGER
Published: February 17, 2008

JERUSALEM — Israel hoped that by pulling its settlers and troops from Gaza in 2005, it would also leave behind responsibility for the Gazans. With help from the West and some Arab nations, Israelis thought, the Palestinian Authority could begin to create a prosperous state, as if the continuing Israeli occupation of the West Bank were somehow irrelevant.

It was a case of wishful thinking. As rockets continue to fall on Israeli towns and Israeli politicians call for harsh retaliation, the country faces an acute quandary in Gaza. Israel is trying to contain a new form of polity: a nonsovereign, semioccupied semistate controlled by Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union and is officially committed to the destruction of the country obligated to provide it with fuel, electricity, water and food.

Israeli politicians are demanding the assassination of Hamas leaders and a major military incursion to stop the rockets. Yet Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have been preaching patience.

But now, with the Winograd report into the failures of Mr. Olmert’s war against Hezbollah safely behind him, a government information campaign is trying to justify a major military operation in Gaza. Israeli officials argue that Hamas is becoming Hezbollah, a sophisticated military organization threatening regional stability.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/17/world/middleeast/17assess.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

[Vegasaurus]

1. IT's called "Lose Lose"

Do nothing, leave Gaza and the rockets fall, accept the "hudna" by Hamas (as Israel did for many months), and the rockets fall. Respond with sanctions, and the rockets fall.

It seems that the militants and Hamas government care more about rockets than a decent life for their people.

[bemildred]

2. Maybe the current approach is not the right one?

How did we get to this point? Hasn't it been all downhill since Taba? Have the Arabs outsmarted the Israelis, or did the Israelis outsmart themselves?