Little to celebrate at the birth of 'Hamastan'

"Hamas flags flying in triumph over the Gaza Strip represent a historic blow to Palestinian national unity as well as an end to already slim hopes for any sort of meaningful peace process with Israel. Barring some dramatic reversal after the latest fighting - such as the improbable survival of the Hamas-Fatah coalition government - 1.4 million Palestinians in what is now being dubbed "Hamastan" will not only be physically cut off from their compatriots in the West Bank but will also be ruled by a movement that advocates armed resistance and is boycotted by Israel and the international community.

Neither side will be in a position to conduct negotiations with Israel or anyone else, killing off any hopes of urgently needed momentum to the current stalemate. "It leaves the Palestinians fragmented and very weak," said a senior Arab diplomat. Iran and Syria, which support Hamas, have boosted their influence."

Guardian - Little to celebrate at the birth of 'Hamastan'

Now that the Palestinians seemed to have split into two groups, it should just stay that way. Instead of trying endless failing negotiations to create a Palestinian State, just give the Gaza Strip back to Egypt and give the West Bank back to Jordan. Let the surrounding Arab nations try to police their own.

For Israel, this would be an easier land-for-peace scenario because they already have peace treaties with both Egypt and Jordan and it would be easier to negotiate the final borders with two established governments.

I doubt Jordan and Egypt would want to take them back though. Why take on the the trouble when it is easier to leave it in other hands?