The complete idiot’s guide to Mideast peace – part 204

Despite criticism, government resolves to intensify Gaza offensive | The Times of Israel  ‘3 soldiers killed in explosion, pushing army death toll to 56; 17 Palestinians die in market attack; British PM says war making 2-state solution ‘impossible’; UN, Washington condemn attack on school that kills at least 15’

This could turn out to be a bad move on the Israeli government’s part.

From a short-term point of view, there may well be some real advantages in taking the fight closer to the enemy. But what will all this cost in terms of long-term damage to Israel’s future prospects and that of its standing in the region and throughout the world as a whole?

Although certain allowances can and will be made for Israel’s position on Gaza, it’s fair to say that, from a PR perspective, the picture is not good.

Maybe the Israelis were given little choice in the matter but, there again, the Hamas organisation may have been pushed into confrontation by events far outside its control. All in all, the situation continues to be bad news for both sides and what little light there might be at the end of the tunnel appears to be fast receding with every new day that dawns.

Then it may be time to switch over tunnels and see if the light there is any brighter and its distance away that much nearer than expected.

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