(AP/Washington Post) Steven Gutkin - The world had big dreams for the Gaza Strip after the Israeli pullout: a seaport, an airport, bus convoys to the West Bank, and open border crossings. But with Hamas militants' impending takeover of the PA, understandings painstakingly brokered by the U.S. are in deep peril. Most of the deals require coordination between Israel and the Palestinians, including a Palestinian commitment to prevent militants from infiltrating border crossings. It's difficult to envision Hamas, which is pledged to Israel's destruction, taking on that task. Unless the militants renounce violence and recognize Israel, previous agreements will be meaningless. Israel "will not be having political negotiations with people who think we should all be killed," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said.
2006-02-16 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive