In Gaza endgame, some see diplomatic opportunity
Former Israeli and US officials see a resolution to Gaza that would boost Palestinian moderates led by Mahmoud Abbas over Hamas, and potentially, prospects for a two-state solution and broader Israeli-Arab accord.
Even as Israel vowed on July 31 to continue its military campaign in Gaza until the network of Hamas tunnels was destroyed, the broad outlines of a longer term endgame for a more lasting resolution were emerging and being debated.
Former US and Israeli diplomats, security officials and regional analysts said that an agreement that would expand the presence of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Gaza, starting with putting the PA in charge of Gaza’s internal border crossings with Egypt and Israel, was in the joint interests of Israel, the PA, Egypt and the United States to boost Palestinian moderates over Hamas militants.
