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The first press release from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs highlights Obama's early efforts to engage with Gaza:
"This morning, the President placed phone calls to four Middle Eastern leaders: President Mubarak of Egypt, Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, King Abdullah of Jordan, and President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. He used this opportunity on his first day in office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term, and to express his hope for their continued cooperation and leadership. In the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, he emphasized his determination to work to help consolidate the ceasefire by establishing an effective anti-smuggling regime to prevent Hamas from rearming, and facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza. He pledged that the United States would do its part to make these efforts successful, working closely with the international community and these partners as they fulfill their responsibilities as well. The President appreciated the spirit of partnership and warm nature of these calls."I'm not sure what the administration has in mind by a "partnership with the Palestinian Authority [for a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza." Hamas is the democratically elected government in that area. The Gazans hate Israel, hate America, and are suspicious that the Palestinian Authority is colluding with both. For Israel to bomb Gaza and then work with American to install the Palestinian Authority seems like the sort of plan that could, in the long-term, destroy the PA's local legitimacy.
