Nerd Analysis: Israel, Hamas, and the Current Gaza Conflict

From Harvard's Olin Institute's Middle Eastern arm comes this commentary (my emphasis):

The Gaza conflict was born the day Hamas took control of the Strip; the clock started ticking the day the “calm” began six months ago. Unlike all of Israel’s other neighbors, save Hezbollah, Hamas is an existential adversary of Israel, not a competitor for some slice of territory or for the affection of Washington. This current round of fighting might not be determinative but it certainly provides the international community—led by the United States—with an opportunity to achieve certain objectives that are necessary to a successful outcome of eventual peace diplomacy.

Conflict was a matter of when, not if, as soon as Hamas took over. Now Israel's patience has finally run out, though -- predictably -- already voices of advocacy on both sides have taken their stands in the media.

Power Line has a report by foreign policy analyst Dan Diker.

Members of the Palestinian leadership are blaming Hamas, while Egypt says that Hamas is preventing wounded Palestinians from seeking medical help in Egypt.