Israel eases restrictions on Gaza; Hamas increases them

Israel is today allowing, for the first time in years, cars to be imported to Gaza over Israeli crossings, for the use of Gaza's water treatment authorities.

It also is allowing a greater variety of items into Gaza, like ketchup, mayonnaise, and sewing materials.

Meanwhile, Hamas not only is stopping many of the new goods from entering, but it is also feeling more emboldened to tighten its restrictions on its political opponents.

According to Fatah, Hamas arrested 16 Fatah members this morning, a marked increase in such arrests over the past few months.

Hamas is confident that the world won't notice what it is doing.