Can peace ever be achieved in areas of long-term conflict, and what role should outsiders play in this process?

Not at all unexpected given Hamas' blatant, unapologetic use of its own people as human shields. Israel, while not 100% clean at least tries to minimize civilian casualties with multiple warnings via phone calls and airmail in advance of their attacks. Sadly, that is easier said than done given how practically every school, hospital, neighborhood, and public place in Hamas territory is used as a launching pad, weapons depot, and now hostage-holding area. Not to mention how densely populated Gaza is. Even Fattah at least keeps their intentions of destroying Israel from within to themselve…  Read mores, but Hamas has no shame or accountability whatsoever. They openly state at how their women and children "excel at being used as cannon fodder," both to save military casualties and gather misguided sympathy from well-intentioned but misinformed foreigners. It's even written in their founding charter for crying out loud - or didn't anyone notice? But of course, people are too gullible to ask questions. And for those who refuse to believe this, at least ask yourselves: "Who is worse? Those who destroy, or those who enjoy destruction?"