Israel-Palestinian Peace...Wishful Thinking?

As President Bush is pushing for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, he is getting some positive moves, but will it be enough. "Israel freed 500 Palestinian prisoners in a goodwill gesture Monday and President Bush pledged to support efforts to resolve the conflict, saying peace based on a two-state solution was within reach," the Associated Press reported.

The article also reported the following which is cause for concern:

In Gaza, Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri called the planned Israeli pullout "a result of the heroic resistance of our people."
The revised separation fence leaves 6 percent to 7 percent of the territory in Israeli hands, said Vice Premier Shimon Peres.
Some 15,000 to 17,000 Palestinians will also end up on the Israeli side of the barrier, officials said. Also, tens of thousands of Israeli settlers would continue to live on the Palestinian side of the barrier, as there is no decision to remove those enclaves.

For years we have read and heard that the Palestinians sole goal is the elimination of Israel. It appears al-Masri's comments lend some credibility to that opinion. With 15,000 to 17,000 Palestinians on the Israli side of the barrier, does anyone really think there will be long term peace between the two?

Just an observation.