Gaza

I don't know very much about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

What little I know (or think I know) could be summed up by saying the Israeli and Palestinian peoples want peaceful relations between two economically viable states with defensible borders. Their governments, on the other hand, seem to be drawn to the more non-negotiable positions of their respective more hard line bases.

Hamas has attempted to manipulate Israel into an attack that would result in horrific civilian casualties broadcast around the world, strengthening its own power and prestige in the Arab world (viz a viz the more moderate party in the West Bank and the more moderate Arab and Muslim nations (excluding Iran).

Israel, fulling knowing that this is Hamas' game, finally attacked anyway.

Now, neither Hamas nor Israel want a cease fire and the suffering civilians, as always, don't get a vote.

What one might say theologically on all this will have to wait another time.

I found the three [edit - however many :-) ] articles below helpful.

Beyond the Banks By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

Don’t Try This at Home By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Published: February 3, 2009

Beyond Iraq: A New U.S. Strategy for the Middle East

This Is Not a Test

The hundred years' war

The long tunnel to a Gaza peace

The Mideast’s Ground Zero

Despite Pummeling in Gaza, Hamas Thinks It Has the Upper Hand

Foreign Affairs - Change They Can Believe In - Walter Russell Mead

The Long Dance:Searching for Arab-Israeli Peace