What is going on on the Gaza-Egypt border is deplorable. Thousands of Palestinian refugees can’t cross the border because of the Egyptian government’s opposition. Some exceptions have been made, such as critically wounded refugees. Today in Cairo, Egypt’s Muslim brotherhood opposition group called for a mass protest against their own government for closing their border with Gaza. This shows again the frustrations of moderate Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan who strongly urged Hamas to avoid the destruction and suffering of their people by choosing a political solution. If their border was opened, the Egyptians would have to deal with a flow of refugees in their territory. Then next year, the same scenario will start again.

One thing is sure, this war is different from other Israel incursions in Gaza. This time, the destruction is bigger and the killing is higher. Unfortunately, a defiant Hamas wouldn’t take advise from anybody. As the Bumi of Ethiopia say, “Advise and counsel him; if he does not listen, let adversity teach him.”