Violence in the Mideast is intensifying, and no one seems ready or able to do anything to stop it. As the death toll mounts, both sides in the Israel-Palestinian conflict are hardening their positions. The U.S. now appears less inclined to intervene. It will take considerably more than rhetoric to end the violence. It is also unclear whether any of the key players has the political will to take the first step toward peace.

The killing of a 10-month-old Jewish girl in Hebron in the West Bank and renewed suicide bombings in Israel triggered a punitive response by the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last week. The initial target of Israeli helicopter gunships was the headquarters of the Palestinian Force-17 security force, which Israel blames for masterminding bombings during the six-month Palestinian uprising.

Israel apparently intends to carry out more attacks. Ominously, the Israeli government has changed its policy from one of retaliating against specific acts to "consistent and stable" warfare against terrorism. Stepping up Israeli military action will only worsen a conflict that seems to have no end.