Israel

The international community should focus on systematically rolling back Hamas political and security control while opening Gaza to the outside world -- beginning with a reestablished PA foothold at the Rafah crossing.

Ghaith al-Omari of the American Task Force on Palestine joins Institute fellows David Pollock and Jeffrey White to discuss the Gaza conflict.

Hamas forced the longstanding blockade through its continued rejectionism, and it is now trying to violently extort the international community, the PA, and Israel to give it what it wants without offering anything in return.

Although rocket fire from Lebanon and Syria remains sporadic for now, Israel and other parties need to be aware of the potential for serious miscalculation and escalation.

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.

A recent, credible poll shows that most Gazans oppose Hamas policies and leaders alike, and favor a ceasefire with Israel.

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

Actions matter more than words, says Arab politics scholar David Pollock, but incitement by Palestinians and Israelis sometimes leads to violent deeds.

The Obama administration would be on firm ground in making further aid and diplomatic support conditional on the PA either acting unambiguously to end Hamas violence or dissolving its partnership with that U.S.-designated terrorist organization.