Can there be a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza?

They really want to solve it, but it's not so easy. You can't just root out a terrorist organization with over 10,000 members, especially when a huge chunk of the civilian population supports them and even protects them by creating a human shield.

I'm an Israeli and I can assure you we want peace. Infact, I used to be somewhat pro-Palestinian(That means I considered us as the guilty ones for not ending the fighting) until 2005. What changed in 2005 you ask? Well.. that's when I sobered up. In 2005 Israel took a one-sided step towards peace, the first giant step in a planned withdrawal from all territories. Israel withdrew completely from Gaza, giving them complete independence, Israel took a hard step of ripping out all the Israeli settlers from their homes, all in the name of peace. As a token of appreciation, Hamas, Jihad and other organizations increased their rocket shooting on Israel by 232% the next year. That's when me and many others realized that these kind of people, who seek only the destruction of Israel, we can never have peace with. Theyhave proven it by increasing aggressiveness when we took a step in peace and they've shown it through numerous statements and broken ceasefires.

When you're neutral, they use violence, when you use violence, they use violence, and when you take a step towards peace, they consider it victory and escalate violence by much more. How could there ever be such a solution when dealing with these kind of organizations? Hamas numerous times declared it will never see peace as an option and that a ceasefire is only a temporary thing when they are weak, before escalating the fighting again.

Allow me to quote you something the Hamas leader said a year or so back:

"Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal said Saturday that the Islamist group's request for a ceasefire with Israel was "a tactic in conducting the struggle." In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Mashaal explained that "it is normal for any resistance ... to sometimes escalate, other times retreat a bit." Hamas has implemented ceasefires in the past and has later resumed attacks, he pointed out, citing 2003 as a specific example."

Peace can be possible, but first such organizations must be rooted out, and without the world supporting Israel, this will take decades.

The Fatah and Hamas were both organizations who targeted civilians and used violence as a form of resistance. However, in 2006, Hamas went into a war with Fatah and won. As a result, Fatah retreated into the west bank and Hamas was in control of Gaza . Now, defeated, weakened and without support - Fatah was "forced" to stop the violence and take a diplomatic peaceful path with Israel. As a result - Israel aided Fatah members escape Gaza, Israel gave back over 80% of the territories in the west bank, Israeli and Fatah police and military cooperate and train together to uphold the peace in the west bank area, the blockade has been practically completely lifted, Israel often treats sick people from the west bank in Israeli hospitals, electricity, water, medication and food are abundant and there is no humanitarian crisis like in Gaza. Most importantly - Actual peace talks took place, and even though they are progressing slowly - There is no doubt - Taking the diplomatic peaceful approach, Fatah achieved more in the last 3 years than it has in 60 years of violent fighting.

Hamas + Fatah = Hamas declares war on Fatah and forces it out of the Gaza strip

Hamas + Israel = Escalating fighting over the course of the last few years

Israel + Fatah being peaceful = Peace negotiations

Simple equations, do the math yourself.

Edit: In regard to what link said - During the ceasefire, Israel didn't attack once, Hamas shot 65 rockets on Israeli towns during a period of 4 months. That's why Israel didn't remove the blockade:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1866...

I have to agree with shitake on this one, the only way Israel and Palestine will be at peace with each other is for this operation to be completed. You can't be cured of cancer unless you remove all the cancer. If you don't, it doesn't matter how much of it you cut out, it will continue to spread and eventually it will become a major threat to your existence. Either Hamas becomes benign, or it must be eradicated. They've dedicated themselves to the elimination of Israel, and Israel is dedicated to nothing but its own defense. Palestine isn't the problem, it's Hamas and organizations like them. Both places would get along fine if Hamas stopped stirring up trouble.

There already was a peaceful resolution. It was the ceasefire that was established, which asked for Israel to remove its blockade and Hamas to stop firing rockets. Rockets were not fired, but 1.4 million people remained starved in Gaza.

Yes. The peaceful resolution begins with Gazans not launching rockets. After that, they can begin to talk about zones of influence, blockades, etc. But first, the rockets have to stop flying.

No.

The jews have stolen the land from the Palestinians.

This has been going on since 1948 when the jewish terrorists set up the state of Israel.

There will be no peace until the Palestinians can return to their villages.

There should be permanent strong well armed UN troops in Gaza.

Where have you been. You are so uninformed.

Study up.