Let us be crystal clear here. Inspection of living conditions in Israel and Gaza is insightful to understanding the problem. There is no comparison. How is it possible that conditions in Gaza can improve with such strict sanctions on what is permitted to cross the border? It is estimated that unemployment is at about 50% in Gaza. Imagine living in a place like that, unemployed. You try and try again to score money for the basic necessities for you and your dependents. But you often fail or are in pain. Your family looks to you for help, but there simply is not an infrastructure there to support the kind of economy we all enjoy. Who is to blame for this situation? Past aggression from Hamas? Absolutely. The current noose on flow across the border? Absolutely. Make no mistake. The last reason, the Israel strangle-hold, is what is motivating current hate in Gaza, which is helping Hamas in all respects. Eliminate the hate, and Hamas and terrorism will crumble. What is needed in Gaza is not a strangle-hold, but assistance from Israel. Help the citizens of Gaza, in a real non-bullshit way, and the hate that is driving terrorism will disappear and everyone will win. Send in bombs and missiles to targets that include innocent civilians (men, women, and children), and all you do is fuel the flames that may ultimately increase sympathy for, the ranks of, and ultimately the capability of Hamas. Why risk a nuclear suicide attack in the middle of Israel or the US, which seems to unconditionally support Israel because they are a “key ally” in the middle east?

Is bombing Gaza the answer? So many innocents are being affected by this. It is absolutely the wrong direction and deplorable for the supposedly enlightened country called Israel.

Is invading Gaza the answer? Many more Israel’s will likely die in that incursion, which will only increase tensions. Not a good answer either, but this is obviously a more precise use of force to arrest Hamas leaders and destroy rocket-making facilities.

The only alternative that will last is to win the hearts and minds of the Palestinians. This will likely not happen during one government officials term. Therefore, it is a “long-term” strategy. Such strategies often are never implemented on controversial issues, until all other short-term strategies have proven unaffective. Determining when that time has come is subjective. True change will likely only happen with real visionary leadership. Give the Israel government posts some truly great candidates for the people to elect, and such long-term change will happen. As history is recording, Israel holds all the cards when dealing with these problems.