Hamas' Headline Return

Hamas has managed to regain headline status. A recent conflict in Beit Hanoun has allowed the group to demonstrate its organizational power. As Israeli forces fired on militants holed up in a mosque, a rallying cry was sent out to women through the party’s radio station, telling them to come to the mosque. They came, by the dozens, even though they were caught in the crossfire, and then subject to direct firing as Israelis soldiers spotted a couple of militants in the crowd. At last count, two women had died, and ten were wounded. For an in-depth commentary and analysis of this incident, check out Helena Cobban’s blog.

The Beit Hanoun episode, although not so different from other stand-offs between Israel and Hamas has shown that Hamas can motivate people to action. The next step is for the non-militant wings of the party to use that power to incite peaceful protest and change.

The Arab world is reacting to the incident, usually by labeling it an attack on civilians. Iran is condemning what government officials call “Zionist crimes” and has urged international peacekeepers to protect the Palestinian people. In Turkey, newspapers acknowledge the women were acting as “human shields,” but this article claims that Reuters footage fails to reveal men hiding among the women.

As usual, the United State has chosen to tread a meaningless path of empty rhetoric. A newspaper from the UAE reports that:

The United States regretted the loss of “innocent life” during the Israeli military’s offensive in the Gaza Strip on Friday but blamed the violence on Palestinian rocket attacks that sparked the fighting.

What the United States should be doing is urging Hamas to use its popularity to move its supporters to nonviolent action. Instead, it is letting another chance for progress to pass by.