Why the conflicts in Gaza and Sri Lanka will continue

[Joanne98]

The bases of insurgents may be destroyed, but their grievances demand real solutions.

AS SRI Lankan Government soldiers occupied the Tamil Tigers' stronghold of Kilinochchi, Israeli soldiers began to enter Gaza. One case represents a separatist movement in perhaps the final throes of a failed struggle for independence; the other the administration of a territory about to be pushed from power.

Despite their differences, there are striking similarities between the Sri Lankan and Gaza conflicts. It is these similarities that explain why Hamas and the Tamil Tigers have both come to the brink of destruction, yet why both conflicts will continue.

In Sri Lanka, a two-year military campaign against the Tamil Tigers has succeeded in dislodging them from their northern "capital". This followed the recent loss of other key Tamil Tiger strongholds, pushing the Tigers back into the scrubland of the "Vanni".

Following its election in 2006, Hamas has had an on-and-off truce with Israel, characterised by an economic blockade that has brought the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip to the brink of starvation. Fighting recently escalated following missile attacks on Israel by Hamas and three weeks of air strikes against Gaza by Israel.

In both cases, there is little doubt that current military objectives will be reached. The Tamil Tigers will be driven from the occupation of territory they have held since 2002 and large swathes for a decade more. In Gaza, it appears that Israel is intent on destroying Hamas' administrative capacity. In both cases, these are military goals only and fail to address long-term political objectives.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/why-the-conflicts-in-gaza-and-sri-lanka-will-continue-20090105-7aju.html?page=1