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Last update - 00:19 02/03/2008 ANALYSIS / Gaza raids met by loud silence from the Arab world By Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Palestinian Authority, Israel  As the death toll in Israel Defense Forces raids against miltiants firing rockets from Gaza climbed to more than 60 on Saturday, Palestinian Information Minister Riad al-Malki responded by saying: "Hamas gave Israel an excuse to start a war in Gaza." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also responded along these lines by saying that the "operation in Gaza is not just a reaction to the rocket barrage." Both comments can be interpreted as Palestinian backing of the Israel Defense Forces ground incursion in the Strip. Moreover, the very mild Egyptian reaction and the conspicuous absence of a convicting Arab voice also indicate that the IDF raid is perceived by the Arab world to be first and foremost a war against Hamas, not the "real Holocaust" of the Palestinian people - as Khaled Meshal claimed on Saturday. Advertisement The fact that Al Jazeera devoted a whole episode of a popular debate show to the question "Why are the Palestinians keeping silent about the situation in Gaza?" also serves to prove this point. Hamas will therefore have to concentrate its efforts not only on the Israeli offensive or on getting the support of the Arab countries, but mainly on shattering the Israeli definition of this war - from one directed against a terrorist organization to a full-fledged war on the entire Palestinian people. Hamas succeeded in doing this once in late January, when its people breached the Gaza-Egypt border and the media portrayed Hamas as the savior of the Palestinians from the Israeli siege. Back then, the Egyptian government had to show its support of the breached border fence and allow thousands of Palestinians to swarm into Egypt. Hamas also managed to set the issue of the Rafah crossing and the need for inter-Palestinian reconciliation as top priority of the political agenda. This time, however, a different effort is required: In order to portray the Palestinian people as a victim of Israeli aggression, exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshal and his representatives both in Gaza and in the West Bank will have to muster the support of the public in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, as well as bring about a resolute commitment from the Palestinian Authority that it would join the active struggle against Israel. Meshal's ultimate goal is to pull elements within Fatah and other Palestinian organizations to the armed struggle, even at the cost of starting a third intifada. So far, Meshal was unsuccessful in his attempts to garner pan-Palestinian support for Hamas' repeated use of Qassam rockets against Israel. Senior Palestinian and Arab officials voiced serious doubts concerning the rockets' efficacy, including several officials who condemned the use of Qassams as detrimental to the Palestinian cause. This is a new situation in which the IDF operates in a wide scope, the television footage is extremely hard to watch, the number of dead Palestinians since Wednesday is close to 90 and the physical damage inflicted is enormous. All these factors make it easier for Hamas to swerve public opinion its way and direct it towards a large-scale operation in the West Bank that would run deeper than a quiet protest. Arab leaders could soon find the situation to be out of their control. The problem facing Israel at the moment is how to confine the incursion within the limits of Israel's struggle against Hamas and the rocket barrage, and not turn it into a war that seems to be directed against all Palestinians. The line between these two stages is tricky and dangerous. Therefore the Israeli government should not give up on trying to get Egypt and the rest of the Arab countries to initiate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Related articles: 2 IDF soldiers, 50 Palestinians die in Gaza clashes Uncompromising Hamas is in trouble PA suspends peace talks with Israel over Gaza violence Meshal: Gaza is 'real holocaust,' armed resistance only option Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   Hamas is #1 enemy of Palestinian state 22:03  |  fiona 01/03/08   2.   Everyone is sick and tiered of HAMAS 22:08  |  Yuri 01/03/08   3.   Arab world does not care. 22:10  |  leo 01/03/08   4.   A ceasefire is poison for Israel 22:24  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 01/03/08   5.   Careful balance 22:43  |  Joseph 01/03/08   6.   This is late news,since the PA has called off the talks with 23:45  |  lakshmi 01/03/08   7.   U.N. PATRONAGE 23:50  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 01/03/08   8.   Bar`el in the Bubble - Terror Should Never Be Fought 00:13  |  Tod Zuckerman 02/03/08   9.   Hamas is winning. It is witten on the walls. 00:19  |  John 02/03/08   10.   Hamas counts on Barak who has mouth full of excuses instead of 00:20  |  Absolute Sweden 02/03/08   11.   A quick check of the regional press 00:42  |  Mark Lincoln 02/03/08   12.   world nor arab world cares 00:52  |  real vision 02/03/08   13.   I am so happy 01:17  |  Indrajaya 02/03/08   14.   John - 70 dead, not a squeak from the world and Hamas is winning? 01:31  |  A Jew 02/03/08   15.   Terror nests 01:41  |  Doron 02/03/08   16.   Hamas is the loser! This article is right . 02:17  |  Al 02/03/08   17.   Remember 02:22  |  Joseph 02/03/08   18.   to clueless John #8 02:34  |  bbl 02/03/08   19.   Most Arabs are tired of Palestinian Violence 03:05  |  Fred McCann 02/03/08   20.   #9-John 03:19  |  Shalom - U.S.A. 02/03/08   21.   Madmen or just inept negotiators? 03:22  |  a wandering Jew 02/03/08   22.   Have you read the Arab Press? 03:56  |  pal 02/03/08   23.   #16 - Al : Excellent analysis. 04:09  |  Eric 02/03/08   24.   Hamas WINNING!? Uh? 04:37  |  Moshiko 02/03/08   25.   Facts speak louder than words 04:49  |  Moshiko 02/03/08   26.   # 16 Al @ NY " What Makes You Think That Terror Arab PLO " 07:22  |  Joseph . E 02/03/08   27.   # 24 Moishiko Amen they can`t find their way to the can. 17:05  |  petra 02/03/08   28.   angry gods still at what they do best 17:53  |  triska TORONTO 02/03/08

Today Online 10 Gazans killed, Israeli wounded in ongoing violence Responses: 149 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza Responses: 254 Barak to Justice Min.: Can IDF legally hit civilian areas used to fire rockets? Responses: 101 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura Responses: 97 Harel and Issacharoff: Hamas will now try to avenge Gaza deaths Responses: 67 Rosner's Domain Battle of Ohio: Will Tzipi meet Hillary? No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 17:56 10 Gazans killed, 4 troops hurt in ongoing Gaza op 18:04 Israeli lightly hurt as 21 rockets slam in western Negev 17:01 Barak to Justice Min.: Can IDF legally hit civilian areas used to fire rockets? 17:26 Hebron teen dies, 3 Israelis hurt as violence spreads to W. Bank 15:47 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza 17:41 Expats' kids in IDF: 'If I don't help defend my home then who will?' 15:17 Hillary Clinton comes out swinging as Ohio primary nears 15:39 Tel Aviv Stock Exchange slumps amid violence in south 14:12 Saudi Arabia compares IDF Gaza operation to Nazi war crimes 13:59 Ahmadinejad in Iraq: First-ever visit opens new chapter in ties 10:35 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura Previous Editions Select Day 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

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