Some Middle East analysts say it is no secret that the Gaza blockade has not significantly weakened Hamas, which Israel and the United States say is an Iranian-backed terrorist organization. During the flotilla raid 8 of those killed were Turks and one was a Turkish-American.
The incident severely strained the bond between Turkey and Israel, which until recently had_____________________________. Nathan Brown, a professor and scholar on Arab politics at George Washington University, says ending the blockade in Gaza is now more difficult.
"So if you are going to end it, you end it on your terms and your time or you wait until there is a crisis. And right now _____________________________ for Hamas. Turkish public opinion is now directly engaged. It is a far messier situation."
Israel hopes that negotiations on what Palestinians call the siege of Gaza would result in the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Gaza-based militants in a cross-border raid into Israel in 2006. Middle East analysts say _____________________________ an agreement to ease the blockade of Gaza.
"As long as Gilad Shalit is there it's going to be very difficult for any Israeli government to suddenly say ok, we are going to change our policy. So we have to come up with some kind of a global deal."
(1)enjoyed relatively warm relations
(2)it's a propaganda victory
(3)the international community will now need to negotiate
