Taking Arab occupied land is ultimately self-defeating for Israel if they want to remain a Jewish state and a democracy. If they become an empire with a minority of Jews holding power over a majority of Arabs, they lose. If they try to absorb the Arabs they control into a democratic state, they lose. The only way for Isreal to take Arab land is to evict the Arabs who live there, which the international community (meaning the USA) would consider politically unacceptable. That's what Sharon realized, and why he withdrew from Gaza.
The answer it seems to me is to counter-fire against wherever rockets are launched from, colateral damage or not. Also to retaliate against the Palstinian Authority on a massive scale.
I agree. The Pali's want to be treated like an independent country, so treat 'em that way. Fire the counter-battery. Why go back into the Gaza cesspool?
Yes. Exactly. Compensate them fairly and evict them and bulldoze the buildings. Thats why you do it 500 meters at a time. They'll get the message, and you won't have to move it more than once or twice.
I hear what you are saying about the political fallout. But in the end, the only thing that will work, the only thing, is to turn the one-way ratchet the other way. Land for peace, indeed.
The loss of land and soverngty have always been factors in determining the risks of war. Let their be real risks and consequences and watch their "faith" find a peaceful accomodation. It is all about risk to leaders and consequences.
Wm