Jonathan Freedland argues that it is a mistake to lift the aid embargo on the Palestinian government while not doing so for the Hamas regime in Gaza. Here.

Fouad Ajami argues that both Fatah and Hamas are responsible for their failure to build a soveriegn Palestinian state. Here.

Both Freedland and Ajami agree, but from different directions that "it’s always tempting to look for salvation in disaster, but in this case it’s sheer fantasy."

John Strawson sets out how peace may yet still be achieved - with the intervention of the international community. Here. "The international community can turn the crisis in Gaza into an opportunity. The Palestinians need to know that a sovereign Palestinian state is going to be created and they need to experience concrete steps to establish it."

The Hamas covenant is here.