
As a new round of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders gets underway, U.S. efforts to isolate Hamas in Gaza could jeopardize the prospects for a diplomatic reconciliation between the two sides.

Israel’s raid on a flotilla of humanitarian aid has refocused global attention on Gaza’s isolation. Israel’s action have helped Hamas, and the group is now operating from a position of greater strength.

The Israeli raid on a humanitarian flotilla headed for Gaza has been a present for Hamas. The sooner the United States and Israel realize that the popularity of Hamas is the result of failed policies, the better off the peace process will be.