Hamas must recognize that Israel and Egypt are not going to open the crossing points unless a reliable party is there to ensure that what crosses into Gaza will not be used to rebuild tunnels and other terrorist infrastructure. The only such party Hamas is likely to accept is the PA, perhaps reinforced by an international presence. Hard for Hamas, no doubt, but discontent among Gaza’s citizens, Hamas’s international isolation and the need to get the Gaza economy going again may be sufficiently persuasive. And some saving of face may be provided by the pact established last April between Hamas and Fatah (the party headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that is committed to nonviolence) — and the unity government they formed in June.
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