Roadmap blurred by a blow

No wonder the concern that the assault could easily weaken Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas's campaign to convince militants to call off suicide bombings and ambush shootings, is sinking. The impasse between the two sides could only make the existing gap yawn. Already, the Palestinian leader's attempt to draw Hamas into ceasefire talks have drawn a blank. The black smokes of fire could render the prospect murkier.

As usual, the Israelis are taking the law into their own hands, even if this meant sending contradictory signals across. On the one hand, they begin to dismantle the West Bank settlement outposts as part of an important requirement of the US-authored roadmap; on the other, they attempt to kill a top Hamas leader throwing the initiative into a quandary. They seem to have a lot of explaining to do. Have they done it deliberately to fuel violence that could cast a shadow on the implementation process? In other words, are they up to wrecking the peace talks? Initially, Israel seemed more keen on the roadmap than the Palestinians, but their latest action makes all concerned wonder what they might be up to.

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None should forget that there are many blockades on the way to peace that need to be patiently lifted. The onus principally lies on Israel, the most powerful and pampered side to the bargain, to show restraint for the success of the peace process.