(Ha'aretz) Amira Hass - Despite occasional statements to the media that war is preferable to the current stalemate, the residents of Gaza cannot bear the thought of another round of warfare. Hamas authorities are well aware of this, so they have no current political or tactical interest in war. Contrary to the statements of high-ranking Hamas officials, they do not have enough weaponry to face off against Israel's army. Moreover, they cannot afford to act in complete opposition to the will of the vast majority in Gaza. After their dismal failure to make any political gains at all via the last war (or during the talks for its conclusion), they will have difficulty promising that another war will lead to political and economic improvement and lifting the embargo - things that the previous war did not accomplish.
2014-12-25 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive