What Israel did to provoke Hamas was not much above Bear baiting

If you taunt and restrain a dangerous adversary long enough, its rage and frustration will come out...somehow...., and usually in an unpleasant way. Yes, Hamas acted not only like terrorists, but like barbarians. We can't read the minds of those who planned this attack, but sometimes a violent reaction is merely rage and a desire to inflict suffering. Hamas may have no real hope of 'solving' anything, but maybe they no longer care.

   I kinda doubt that a 2-state solution has much chance now... if it ever did after 1948.