Mid-East Crisis and Prospects for a Cease-Fire

Before the latest conflict in Gaza, Hamas was struggling. It had lost support from Syria and Egypt and seemed powerless to end Israel’s border blockade. It couldn’t pay government workers, and unemployment was at 50%. Now, its network of tunnels turns out to be much more extensive that anybody expected, and Hamas rocket fire has scared international traffic away from the Ben Gurion Airport. That might be good news for Hamas supporters, but it has come at a terrible price.