Middle East Notes and Comment: Another Palestinian Casualty

While all of Israel’s military actions are focused on Gaza, the principal casualty will likely be on the West Bank.  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stands to benefit dramatically from a weakened Hamas in Gaza, and if he plays his cards deftly, he could emerge in a much stronger position.  Yet, to do so, he would have to show a resolve and creativity in this crisis that he has not shown up to now. If Abbas comes out of this conflict looking like he is trying to force his way back into Gaza on the back of an Israeli tank, he will be the most visible victim of Israel’s Gaza campaign.

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Jon B. Alterman
Senior Vice President, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and Director, Middle East Program