Hamas

via Israeli forces advance deep into Gaza urban areas.

IBRAHIM BARZAK and CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA | January 11, 2009 05:51 PM EST |

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel had made progress in its objectives in the Gaza offensive but was not finished yet.

“Israel is nearing the goals that it set for itself,” Olmert said. “However, further patience, determination and effort are necessary in order to achieve those goals in a way that will change the security reality in the south.”

While Olmert’s comment signaled no immediate end to the offensive, it indicated that Israel is wary of an open-ended conflict with an unclear agenda. Israel wants to end years of rocket attacks by Hamas on its southern population, a complex goal that could require Egyptian or international help in shutting off routes to smuggle weapons into Gaza from Egypt.

Hamas, in turn, demands that Israel open Gaza’s blockaded borders as part of any halt to the fighting. Such a measure would relieve economic pressure on the destitute territory but also strengthen Hamas’s control of Gaza, an odious prospect for Israelis who fear a halt to the fighting will just give Hamas another opportunity to re-arm.

Try this. Why not get Egypt in on the negotiation to stop smuggling of rockets from THEIR COUNTRY. Let Egypt make a commitment to seek out and arrest those making the illegal arms deals. Hamas demands that the blockaded borders be opened for humanitarian aid to flow in, and maybe their commerce can begin. Israel is fearful that Hamas will re-arm and they probably will, but that may be the price of peace. I have to repeat that the only party in this able to set this situation right, really right meaning autonomy for the Palestinians is Israel. The outcome of this terrible situation is on their shoulders.