Hamas is a terrorist organization, which many (especially on the left) seem to forget. Since they rule Gaza by terror, I agree with those who say the local residents of Gaza, many of whom are innocents are more or less powerless to do anything about it. Tyrannical rulers have always operated that way. Thus, the only way to get rid of them is to DEFEAT them militarily. Israel is working on it, but they can’t do it alone. If Mahmoud Abbas were really a man of peace, he would recognize the golden opportunity Israel is giving him and sincerely work WITH Israel so that the peaceful elements of Palestinian society become more dominant. One of the truly sad aspects of this conflict is that Israel and the Palestinians could be good friends if only the enemies of Israel would give up the dream of eliminating Israel. When Israel soon begins to develop and sell its natural gas reserves, there will be money available to share with a peaceful Palestinian state. But as long as Israel’s enemies continue to stoke this endless conflict, everyone loses.