The Hamas Paradox

The recent situation in Israel has painted Hamas into a corner.

Whether you side with Israel or Palestine, the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier by the military wing of Hamas puts the very legitimacy of the government on the line and sets the stage for continued strife in the area.

It boils down to this, does Hamas actually have control of its military wing and, if it does, did they not just commit an act of war?

If Hamas does actually control the militants then you have a situation where a governing body ordered the attack on a sovereign nation. Given the confusing status of the region they either committed an act of war or insurrection.

If they didn’t order the attack and do not control the militants then are they not merely figureheads who in reality govern nothing? They would lack legitimacy. Why then would any country deal with them since they obviously do not have the power to deliver on any promises they make.

Either way, the Palestinians people lose.