The death toll from Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza continues to mount, at last count exceeding 12,000, at least 5,000 of them children. An idea that has gained greater traction in Western countries, including the United States, would see the Palestinian Authority replace Hamas in Gaza. Hamas has been the government of Gaza since 2006, has a presence throughout major institutions and civil society, and enjoys significant public support. REOCCUPIED TERRITORYIf the leadership vacuum in Gaza cannot be filled by an Arab state or a Palestinian actor, what then? Some observers take the worst-case scenario—driving Palestinians out of Gaza and embarking on an Israeli reoccupation—a step further.
