Collective Punishment

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7211966.stm

Whether a stated strategy of Hamas, the groups actions have elicited the kind of response from Israel that could be classified as part of the Indirect Strategy or Outside Intervention Strategy. This article discusses the most recent actions taken by the Israeli government to stop terrorist action against their citizens. These actions have been heavy-handed and have allowed Hamas to gain more support within the Gaza strip and has outraged members of the international community against Israel. In particular, the Israeli government has made it difficult for the Gazans to acquire fuel. This has contributed to a burgeoning humanitarian crisis, in which hospitals do not have the fuel necessary to run their facilities. Hamas, perhaps in an effort to attenuate the crisis and appear as the heros, broke down parts of the Egyptian border so that Gazans could cross into Egypt and gather supplies. Thousands crossed the border into Egypt in pursuit of food.
The international community has put pressure on Israel to allow fuel back into Gaza. Israel has agreed for now. However, they say the withholding of fuel from the Gazans is part of a overarching strategy to combat terror through what can be described as "collective punishment". If the Gazans feel enough pressure, they will turn on their own community and root out potential terrorists. This policy, perhaps, is not working as well as Israel hopes. It might, in fact only perpetuat the problem. If Israel resorts to tactics that hurt the civilian population, they will increase its enemies and those who might have considered peaceful means of protest have no choice but to fight back violently in order to protect themselves and their families. They might want to reconsider their plan.