On the 27th of December, the world was greeted by the news of a surprise Israeli offensive that killed about 250 people in the Gaza strip.

Those killed were mostly Hamas Policemen. However, the Gaza strip is one of the most crowded places in the world and civilian casualites have also occured. Israel's sudden onslaught has caught Hamas by surprise as previous Israeli airstrikes have only resulted in damage to empty Hamas buildings since Hamas had plenty of warning before.

Israel had warned of bloody consequences if rocket attacks against it continue; however, Hamas chose to ignore the warnings since such speeches were an expected after a wave of Rocket attacks. This time however, Olmert lived up to his word.

So, of course the blame game starts. The Arab communities will most likely censure Israel for its actions. Israel will relinquish the right to defend itself and the USA will support it. A largely powerless UN will condemn the onslaught. The question is who is at fault here?

In todays Political Scenario, an organization that claims the right of leadership of a country or region is held accountable for the actions within its territory. This is one of the basic requirements of a ruling party from a monarch, to the dictator and ultimately a democratically elected government. Unhindered Rocket attacks from one countries territory into another is a casus belli enough to warrant retaliation in the International scenario. It appears Hamas has used the 'elected' stamp to legitimize itself and as a consequence serve as a political 'missile shield' against retaliation by Israel while slowly making Israel bleed. Even if Hamas proclaims that it wasn't responsible for the attacks against Israel, the burden of responsibility lies on it for not preventing attacks from its territory. This is irresponsibility at its worst because of the grave consequences involved.

If the rockets into Israel stopped, would Israel have any way to justify an assault against Hamas? Political and Peaceful protests instead of violent idealogies would net it more influence then the way of the gun. Instead, Hamas has proved itself an failed organization with no vision for the future.

Instead of looking outward to pin the blame, the Palestinians have to realize that the future of their state is in their hands not Israel's. Violence has solved nothing for them and they have not gained Israel's trust by ensuring that the Gaza strip is a secure zone. As long as 'violence' is the official state policy of the Palestinian authority they will only invite more suffering among themselves. The palestinian authority must try a new route and reduce attacks against Israel and then prove to the world that they are capable of ruling themselves. It is then that they can gain the International political clout to justify a fair and fixed resolution with Israel to finally give the Palestinians a home and borders that they have been long due. Any true Palestinian leader will now accurately guage the needs of the common citizen and realize that only through non violence and internal restructring can they make any leeway, This does not mean becoming an Israeli or Western Puppet. Instead, have clear goals of what they would require to make peace with Israel and convince the world that they can secure their borders and be accountable for any action arising from their areas.

This is no easy task and the leader that takes up the challenge must be prepared to face the trials and tribulations that follow. But, if he/she suceed.. they will go down in History as someone who ended the world's biggest tragedy.