The Israeli assault on Gaza is understandable but dumb
Hamas attacked Israel,and therefore Israel has the right to defend itself but the counter argument runs that the attack is assymetrical in the extreme, that the extent of civilian death and wounding is so high as to be morally unacceptable. So far so good, but what I don’t see is much thought as to whether Israel’s attack on Gaza is going to work. First, the likelihood that Hamas has its entire arsenal and manpower lined up in Gaza is remote. All Hamas has to do is wait this out. Second, the attack will probably increase the support for Hamas among the Palestinians as they try and show solidarity and strength in the face of the Israeli operation. That’s human nature. Presently Hamas has 132 seats in the Palestinian Assembly versus Fatah at 42, i.e. a 3: 1 majority. I imagine this will skew further toward Hamas in the next elections (if they are allowed to take place). At worst a major armed conflict will follow between Hamas and Fatah, with Hamas emerging victorious; at best Hamas will take full control of Palestine via the ballot box (oh the irony). This will be a total mess for all concerned, Israel and Palestine.