Against an implacable, well-entrenched, non-state enemy like the Hamas, Israel needs to “mow the grass” once in a while in order to degrade enemy capabilities
Israel didn’t effect a significant change in the security balance versus Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A draw with the Hamas is strategically unsatisfactory.
The Palestinian Authorities' decision to strike an agreement with Hamas is proof of the Palestinian leadership's continual rejection of both peace and independent statehood.