successive experiments of variable success

Uri Avnery, an influential Israeli author/journalist/activist, wrote ironically in his column the following, commenting on Tel Aviv's policy:

"...Some time ago I wrote that the Gaza blockade was a scientific experiment designed to find out how much one can starve a population and turn its life into hell before they break. This experiment was conducted with the generous help of Europe and the US. Up to now, it did not succeed. Hamas became stronger and the range of the Qassams became longer. The present war is a continuation of the experiment by other means.

It may be that the army will “have no alternative” but to re-conquer the Gaza Strip because there is no other way to stop the Qassams – except coming to an agreement with Hamas, which is contrary to government policy..."
(Στην ελληνική αναδημοσίευση στα "Νέα":«Ο αποκλεισμός της Γάζας ήταν ένα επιστημονικό πείραμα που είχε στόχο να διαπιστωθεί πόσο μπορεί να αντέξει ένας λαός όταν τον καταδικάζεις στην πείνα κι όταν κάνεις τη ζωή του κόλαση. Το πείραμα δεν πέτυχε. Η Χαμάς έγινε ισχυρότερη και το βεληνεκές των πυραύλων της μεγαλύτερο. Ο σημερινός πόλεμος είναι η συνέχιση αυτού του πειράματος με άλλα μέσα. Όμως, μετά την εισβολή των ισραηλινών χερσαίων δυνάμεων για την ανακατάληψη της Γάζας κανείς δεν μπορεί να ξέρει ποια θα είναι η κατάληξη»

but he is wise enough to conclude his note with the following:

"...This war is a writing on the wall: Israel is missing the historic chance of making peace with secular Arab nationalism. Tomorrow, It may be faced with a uniformly fundamentalist Arab world, Hamas multiplied by a thousand."

At least for those who will survive to see this ominous tomorrow.