No. of Recommendations: 8
Hamas does not govern Gaza or the Palestinians.
Is that true? Hamas might not have de jeure authority over Gaza (although they perhaps have as much claim to it as anyone else, given that they were the prevailing political party in the last election held there). But it certainly is the de facto governing authority over the area. As you point out, the PLO (and the PNA) is impotent in Gaza. Hamas is in charge, and has exercised that authority in various ways (all of the ministries in Gaza are held by Hamas members, for example).
I certainly agree that what is going to happen to the Palestinians in Gaza is going to be horrific. But Israel is going to try to root out Hamas entirely - and whether they can or will succeed, they are certainly going to make the attempt.
