Many years ago I used to go to Israel frequently. Israel and what used to be called Palestine is a complex situation.
When I first went to work I had a colleague who had been stationed out there (Palestine) in the army but never had a good word to say about the Israelis. As far as he was concerned they were terrorists who had killed many of his comrades and British civilians as well as Arabs. Don't forget in Arab Palestinian eyes Israel stole their land, and in many Israeli eyes if the land was theirs in biblical times it belongs to them now so all the land occupied now and more is rightfully theirs. I don't really think the last statement stands up to scrutiny, if so the Romans, now Italians, own a large chunk of the UK. (Israel was created by UN mandate though many Jews were being smuggled there immediately after WWII.)
When I was in Israel all those years ago many Israelis designated themselves as first generation, being those that were born there or of parents there before the creation of Israel, and the following second generation. Many of these first generation had sympathy with the Arabs and even had Arab friends, but would state it's the second generation that is causing the problems. There was certainly an arrogance among some Israelis that because of what happened to them during WWII they had a right to do whatever they thought, and then others that disagreed and said that they were behaving the same as the Nazi's had done to them.
The Palestinians have brought a lot on themselves and it is true that many Arab countries do not want Palestinians. The Arab countries and latterly the Palestinians were fighting what they thought was their rights, though I may not agree with their methods, I have to respect that right. Aren't they doing, in their eyes exactly the same as what many of the Jews in Palestine were doing to produce the creation of Israel. The only long term solution is for two states and that both respect each other. Getting there is the problem.
I think that the Israelis (but not all) have brought a lot on themselves by treating the Palestinians the way they do. They appear in many cases to treat them as parasites and in this country if we treated animals the way Palestinians have been treated we would be in court. They do not seem to understand that if you treat others with respect, as human beings with human rights, that you are far more likely to get a resolution.
Why did Hamas get greater support than Fata? Well if you read many documents on the matter they would indicate that FATA though less extreme in later years, was corrupt and did not do much for their Palestinian brethren at the local level. Hamas more extreme, but did a lot for the local population. So you tell me who would you support if living in the Gazza if being bombarded, your children and your loved ones being killed, no work, little food, no hospitals as such, but there is this group that try to make life a bit better and that you have some food, etc.
So what can we do to help the situation. Through our countries and the EU persuade Fata to end all forms of corruption and to do more for the local population. Put money into the areas to provide food, create jobs, hospitals, etc. Persuade the Israelis to change their ways and to also respect the Palestinians as human beings. Hopefully this would persuade Hamas to change its ways with regards to attacking Israel, and if not for Palestinians to transfer their allegiance to Fata and more willing to live alongside Israel.
What can the USA do to help this. Years ago it was politically more difficult, but financially Israel was more dependent on USA finance. If the finance had been threatened to have been pulled then I think the Israelis would have listened more, and may be implemented the foundations for peace.The USA can still do a lot but may be more these days by being more outspoken about Israel, and showing more consideration for the Palestinians.
The Israelis did much for occupied territory which you have to respect them for. For instance they transposed barren land to fertile and made it very productive.
The whole thing to a certain degree reminds me of an early cowboy movie (the only good indian is a dead one) transposing the indian for Israelis and Palestinians.
Just my thoughts on the matter. Here endeth the gospel according to MC.
