[1967 R50/2]

No. Actually, I think Israel is doing EXACTLY WHAT HAMAS WANTS.

1. The Hamas Government is bankrupt and is on the brink of civil war with Fatah. So they need a distraction to keep peoples minds off how badly they have been doing.

2. Even other factions within Hamas are giving them trouble. Note the recent effort to recognize Israel. If you were one of the real hard core militants, that's bad news. Time to embarrass "the moderates".

3. So they goad Israel, knowing that Israel's knee jerk reaction will be to fall on them like a ton of bricks....which they have.

4. Mission accomplished. Suddenly all the Palestinians are backing Hamas again because of "big, bad Israel."