This figure bears repeating over and over because it's the key to understanding the conflict. This is why Israel doesn't support a two-state solution. Israel is holding a viper by the back of its head. It can't let go or it will suffer terrible damage in terms of massive attacks on its civilian population. This is what the Gaza blockade is all about: the only purpose is to stop weapons from getting in. That's why Egypt blockades Gaza too. They appreciate what will happen if Palestine gets better weapons.

How it came to be holding that viper is somewhat self-inflicted, somewhat caused by the brits, etc, but the point is it can't let go now until the viper agrees not to kill its children. Viper isn't in a negotiating mood though.