The Grand Illusion
From where I sit, I’m seeing a general similarity between the situation in Gaza and the situation in the theoretically Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Both are allowing violent extremists to disrupt their workings.
The Republicans blame the Democrats for all the nation’s problems, while Hamas continues to put the blame on Israel. In the House of Representatives, Republicans have a slight majority, but they’ve allowed themselves to be bound and disrupted by an extremist minority that has, depending on the situation, blamed the former speaker for working with the Democrats and then effectively blamed the Democrats for not saving McCarthy from the extremists, after McCarthy stalled almost all legislative activity while trying to placate the extremists — most unsuccessfully.
In the Gaza situation, the Israelis pulled out of local governance fifteen years ago, and the Palestinians have accepted and allowed the existence of extremist terrorists who blame the Israelis for everything while doing their best to continue their attacks.
In both cases, the extremists are pushing ideas and ideology that, apparently, very few besides the extremists can accept.
Hamas wants the total destruction of Israel and will accept nothing less, while the Republican extremists want massive spending cuts that will fall on the poorest Americans and refuse to consider even the smallest of tax increases on the wealthiest Americans (who now possess the greatest share of national wealth ever)… and apparently will accept nothing less.
Neither situation is likely to end well.
The Republicans hold the keys to their chains in their hands; it’s no so for Gazans. But you’re right that it won’t end well.
At any time, half a dozen moderate Republicans in the house could form a power-sharing agreement with the Democrats, who already have 212 of 218 votes needed for speaker.
I do want to gently push back on your statement that the Gazans “accepted and allowed” Hamas rule. The last election was in 2006 where Hamas ran one candidate in each district and Fatah ran multiple who cannibalized Fatah voters. So Hamas won with only 45% voting for it and then ended elections. Hamas’ political opponents are treated just the same as Israeli civilians – killed. Perhaps 1/4 of Gazans were eligible to vote in 2006; half the population now is under 18, and necessarily didn’t vote in 2006.
Hamas has also been propped up by right-wing Israeli governments, who view a competent Palestinian government as an existential threat, because it would put an end to the illegal, expanding settler occupation of the West Bank.