 Palestinians wait for aid trucks to cross in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) CNN With Hamas holding firm and fighting back in Gaza, Israel faces only bad options Hamas is still putting up a fight after seven brutal months of war with Israel, regrouping in some of the hardest-hit areas in northern Gaza and resuming rocket attacks into nearby Israeli communities. Israel initially made tactical advances against Hamas. But those early gains have given way to a grinding struggle against an adaptable insurgency — and a growing feeling among many Israelis that their military faces only bad options. Read more. |
| What are the scenarios: Occupation: Far-right members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, who hold the key to his remaining in power, have called for a permanent occupation of Gaza. Most Israelis are opposed, pointing to the immense costs. Netanyahu himself has said Israel will maintain security control over Gaza, but delegate civilian administration to local Palestinians and suggested that Arab and other countries assist with governance and rebuilding. Arab states have roundly rejected this scenario. A U.S. proposal: Arab states have coalesced around a U.S. proposal wherein a reformed Palestinian Authority would govern Gaza with the assistance of Arab and Muslim nations, normalizing relations with Israel in return for a U.S. defense pact. But U.S. and Saudi officials say that hinges on Israel committing to a credible path to eventual Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu has ruled out such a scenario. A deal with Hamas: Hamas has proposed a very different bargain — one that might even be more palatable to Israelis than the U.S.-Saudi deal. The militant group has proposed a phased agreement in which it would release all of the hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners — including senior militants — as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a lengthy cease-fire and reconstruction. That would almost certainly leave Hamas in control of Gaza and potentially allow it to rebuild its military capabilities. |
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