A picture taken from the Israeli Gaza border shows smoke billowing from the Gaza Strip following an Israeli air strike on July 16, 2014. Israel intensified its bombardment of Gaza, killing four children on a beach in an apparent naval salvo and launching deadly air strikes, as regional leaders sought to end the killing. [Xinhua photo]

So Operation Protective Edge will go on until "calm is restored to Israel," which means the destruction of Hamas. And he does not even want to stop at Hamas, He wants to be sure that "we don't get another Gaza in Judea and Samaria." So he stated emphatically that: "There cannot be a situation, under any agreement, in which we relinquish security control of the territory west of the River Jordan."

He was not saying that he does not support a two state solution. He was saying it was impossible!

Unfortunately, part of Israeli public opinion seems to support him. Some even say he has been "too soft" on the Palestinians.

According to press reports, the political and security leadership does support a "more moderate response." But the far right-wing minister of the economy and the head of the Jewish Home Party, Naftali Bennett demanded a much harsher response. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman even threatened to dismantle the Likud-Beiteinu unity if Netanyahu doesn't make stronger moves.

The hardliners want to strike Hamas hard enough so that it falls on its knees. So far that has not happened. And Knesset member Moshe Feiglin claimed that "our enemy is not only Hamas but the entire population that supports it." So he suggested that "we should simply deny them electricity, water, food and medicine until they fall to their knees." Press reports say Israeli planes are indeed targeting Gaza's sewage system and five water pipelines that supply a large part of the population. That would be a crime against humanity!

The siege mentality is unhealthy. But how did it get so bad?

Israel blockaded Gaza and made 1.8 million Gazans virtual prisoners.

It occupied the West Bank in 1967 and settled 400,000 Jews there, making a total of 700,000 people from Israel proper settled in occupied Palestine. It pursues a policy of apartheid to make 2.6 million Palestinians second class citizens. It built highways that Palestinians may not drive on. It has established check points that limit Palestinian mobility. It has instituted a pass system just like that of the old Apartheid South Africa.

Washington's one-sided support of Tel Aviv is making matters worse. No good solution seems to be in sight, unfortunately.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.h5a3.com/opinion/zhaojinglun.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.