The incursions of the IDF into Palestinian-controlled areas of Gaza and the reimposition of curfews and closures in all Palestinian cities, with the exception of Bethlehem, have taken the region back to the situation of six weeks ago and have set back the political process.

Lessons from this case are that sanctions can help to change state behavior when they are not utilized as punishment and retribution, that the prospect of lifting or suspending sanctions can be an important inducement for compliance, that suspension is a useful action that removes coercive pressure but allows for easier reimposition should conditions so require, and that indigenous factors and changing perceptions unique to each case must be weighed in determining how to achieve compliance.

“This occupation of our towns, villages and refugee camps, which is accompanied by incursions, bombardments, assassinations, destruction, demolitions and massacres of civilians, such as those committed in Jenin, Rafah, Nablus, Tulkarem, Khan Yunis, Hebron, Gaza and Qalqiliya, has caused massive destruction to the infrastructure that the countries of the world helped us to rebuild in years past. It has brought all spheres of life to a standstill owing to the destruction of various governmental and private facilities and has halted the operation of the vital civil and security institutions of the Palestinian Authority, including its medical, social, humanitarian and economic institutions. Most recently, there has been the reoccupation of, and the reimposition of control over, Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahur.