الفلسطينيون

Prior to the latest ground campaign in Gaza, Hamas appeared to be losing relevance and legitimacy, but Israel's offensive -- however justifiable -- could restore both.

Egypt made a proposal Monday to stop the fighting between Hamas and Israel. The Arab League and Israel accepted it. Even Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas political leader, said Monday night on a Hamas television broadcast that the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas had “lifted the head of our nation” and

Washington should not be nostalgic for the days when a Muslim Brotherhood government had greater sway in Gaza City.

Hamas, bankrupt and friendless, hopes to use violence to win support. Israel cannot do otherwise than act.

Turkey-based Hamas member Salah al-Arouri is uniquely suited to overseeing the group's operations in the West Bank.

The multitude of other crises in the region and the strong doubts among Israelis and Palestinians cannot be an argument for walking away from diplomatic efforts.

The discovery of murdered kidnap victims in the West Bank and increased rocket fire from Gaza have brought Hamas and Israel to the brink of a new round of hostilities.

New survey results show that violence is not a popular option among Palestinians and that Hamas is not benefiting from the current troubles, giving U.S. policymakers some breathing room to concentrate on more urgent crises in Iraq and Syria while backing practical steps to cool tensions.

West Bank and Gaza residents alike still appear more receptive to Fatah than Hamas viewpoints.