(1) Netanyahu exploited the ceasefire ultimatum (a trap laid by Blair, but of course with Obama’s connivance), and the downing of the Malaysian airliner (which displaced Gaza from the headlines), to launch the ground invasion.  However, it is only a limited invasion because of the broad constraints still imposed on Israel by international public opinion.  It gives Netanyahu enough time and leeway to clobber Hamas and “mow the grass” in Gaza.
 

(2) But Netanyahu  can’t declare victory until the Hamas projectile attacks cease, and without a full-scale invasion he can’t stop them.  Here’s where Abbas comes in.  Abbas will negotiate an agreement with Egypt whereby the PA will staff Rafah crossing, enabling Abbas to declare that he won an end to the blockade.  The quid pro quo, however, is that he will agree to prevent any arms smuggling into Gaza and to disarm Hamas.    Because