Another bomb, more retaliation - So it goes

It is impossible, after years of attacks and counter-attacks, to say with any accuracy who struck the first blow: the Israelis or the Palestinians.

Moreover, it is much too easy to lump all anti-Israeli groups under one heading: the Palestinian Authority led by Yasser Arafat. In fact, there are numerous factions claiming to represent the true interests of Palestinians. For now, the Palestinian Authority is the official group with which the United States and other nations, including Israel, are dealing.

While Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, was in Washington to discuss peace initiatives, another suicide bomber struck in Rishon Letzion south of Tel Aviv. Sharon immediate broke of the talks, returned to Israel and vowed to retaliate.

And so it goes.

Meanwhile, Arafat went on TV to order Palestinian security forces to "confront and prevent all terror attacks." This was considered good news by U.S. observers.

The real culprit, it appears, is Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement whose aim is to get rid of Israel and restore a Palestinian state on the same land. Hamas, which is at odds even with the Palestinian Authority, has claimed responsibility for the most recent bombing, prompting the Israelis to target Hamas strongholds on the Gaza Strip.

And so it goes.