Yasser Arafat appeals to the extremists to quit the suicide bombing, but to no avail. He has lost control.
But, of course, it was Israel's intention to destroy the ability of the Palestinian Authority to manage its 'country's' affairs.
When they planned that destruction did Israel's leaders factor into their calculations all the Israelis who would die?
There has to be a Palestinian state. The Palestinians once had their own country, which they lost when Western powers imposed their own formula in the region.
Eventually there must be two countries; two nations sharing a long border. It is going to be difficult having sworn enemies living cheek by jowl, but there is no other solution.
In the end, there has to be reconciliation, understanding and forgiveness. This is not some idealistic point of view. It is the only practical reality.