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its onslaught into Gaza comes from the international situation of the moment. The change in U.S. administrations leaves uncertainty about U.S. support for such an operation after Barak Obama's inauguration. At the same time, both Egypt and Jordan tacitly allowed Israel to move forward. Egypt kept its border crossing into Gaza closed, and amassed police and security along the areas where smuggling tunnels from Gaza come into Egypt. While it has not condoned Israel's actions publicly, neither has it acted diplomatically against Israel. Both Jordan and Egypt have kept their ambassadors in Israel, even while other countries (such as Venezuela) have recalled their diplomatic missions in protest of the war in Gaza. Hamas is closely linked to a militant Islamic group in Egypt, and the two groups have caused Egypt problems. It is widely reported that Egypt would like to see Hamas out of power. This is, perhaps, borne out by the fact that Egypt has said it won't open its border crossing to Gaza unless the Palestinian Authority oversees the crossing instead of Hamas.

Still, Egypt has not supported the idea of international peace keepers on its border with Gaza, and has called on both sides to stop the violence. Egypt is not an Israeli ally, even while it does not actively oppose Israel's actions. Jordan has its own Palestinian refugee population, and problems within it, and has also remained unusually quiet. There are media reports that others, including Saudi Arabia and several non-Arab states, while publicly decrying civilian casualties and the strength of Israel's reaction (often calling it an over-reaction), quietly allow things to continue because they, too, worry about Hamas, especially its ties to Syria and Iran.

While all of these reasons, and no doubt more, contributed to Israel's decision to attack, criticism of the extent and degree of the violence has been strong in Israel and abroad, especially with the increasing civilian casualties. (Despite a New York Times article that states Israelis overwhelmingly support the action, newspaper editorial writers, political parties, and peace activists have vociferously complained about the overpowering military response and spoken up for humanitarian concerns. While "understanding" the need to respond to up to 70 rocket attacks a day, critics still express grave concern over the type and amount of response.) The recent incident where Israeli forces fired into a UN school and killed dozens of civilians has increased calls, both inside and outside of Israel, for restraint and a ceasefire.

While newspapers report a call for a one-week "humanitarian" ceasefire by Defence Minister Barak, reportedly at odds with Foreign Minister Livny, the fighting continues as of this writing. What will come of it, for better or worse, cannot yet be foretold. Responsible parties on all sides will hope for a settlement, calm, perhaps even an eventual peace. The chances for these, at this moment, seem remote.

Learn more about this author, Michael Deqel.
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