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Neutralizing the Gaza Powder Keg

(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Michael Herzog and Ghaith al-Omari - No realistic policy toward Gaza should be based on the assumption or hope that Hamas will be toppled or replaced any time soon. In any case, the alternatives to Hamas inside Gaza are not assured to be better. While all efforts should be made to maintain Hamas' diplomatic isolation and to minimize its empowerment in a future international approach to the territory, the group should be regarded as the responsible address in Gaza, for better or worse. International actors can and should seek to tame its malign, destabilizing activities, but they must recognize that such moves are unlikely to change the group's fundamental character or force its disarmament. The international community should focus first on bringing Gaza's ailing infrastructure and economy to basic functionality, while striving to minimize direct economic and political benefits to Hamas. Improvements to water and electricity grid infrastructure should be based on Hamas' commitment to an enduring, stable ceasefire, including a buffer zone along the border and a halt to firing rockets and digging cross-border tunnels. Hamas should be convinced that projects can only be implemented once hostilities have quieted. Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Michael Herzog, former chief of staff to four Israeli ministers of defense, is a fellow of The Washington Institute, where Ghaith al-Omari is a senior fellow.
2018-07-13 00:00:00
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