The turmoil in Gaza comes as new details emerge about criticism from a former top U.N. envoy on the U.S. and U.N. role in Israel and the Occupied Territories. In a confidential report disclosed earlier this week, Alvaro de Soto condemns the boycott on the Palestinian government and says the U.S. and Israel have virtually neutralized prospects for peace. De Soto said the Bush administration had relied on a small group of Palestinian contacts who “tell them what they want to hear.” De Soto also faulted the Middle East Quartet of the U.N., U.S., European Union and Russia for abandoning pressure on Israel. He writes: “With all focus on the failings of Hamas, the Israeli settlement enterprise and barrier construction has continued unabated.” De Soto also says the U.N. should consider dropping out of the Quartet unless its policies are changed.