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Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/01/25/do2504.xml
Israel's Choices in the Face of Rocket Attacks
[Telegraph-UK] Con Coughlin - By maintaining its constant barrage of rocket attacks against Israel, the Hamas leadership could hardly be credited with working in the best interests of the civilian population it claims to represent. The dilemma facing the Israelis is how they respond to the endless acts of provocation from Hamas, for whatever action the authorities in Jerusalem take seems to provoke international condemnation. The recent closure of Gaza to all but essential humanitarian supplies was heavily criticized by aid agencies, which were less keen to condemn the Israeli casualties caused by Hamas rocket attacks. Given that the Palestinians are in no position to rein in Hamas' excesses, it seems almost inevitable that it will fall to Israel to deal with the existential threat the terror group poses. To make peace in the Middle East, it is often necessary first to make war.