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Hamas gunman in Gaza
Photo: AFP

Hamas patience pays off

Hamas believes its firm stand in face of pressure forced Israel to agree to truce

The Gaza Strip truce – whether it is officially announced or whether it will take effect through silent agreement – will be recorded by Hamas as yet another victory in its struggle against Israel. The group will also buy more time in order to reinforce its rule in Gaza.

 

It is no secret that Hamas leaders truly want a ceasefire. Yet just like with the Gilad Shalit question – which they strongly wish to resolve by finalizing a deal that would secure his release – they are dictating the terms. In both cases they are engaging in negotiations from a position of strength and without many compromises.

 

The most important thing for Hamas is its demand for a ceasefire with the perception of victory, a balance of terror, and military balance vis-à-vis the IDF – mostly by launching rockets and duplicating Hizbullah’s modus operandi.

 

The people in Gaza are observing with satisfaction the conduct of Sderot residents and the way the Qassam rockets have undermined their resilience. Yet more than anything else, Hamas is taking pleasure in the face of the Israeli government’s hesitation and its inability to take a decision.

 

Hamas arrogance

Therefore, Hamas is not scared to fire barrages of rockets and mortar shells: Its leaders know that, at most, the Israeli response would be bombing a Hamas facility that was apparently evacuated a long time ago. The rocket barrages of recent days are not only the last opportunity to fire them, but also a way to boost the pressure on Israel in order to accept the ceasefire – in line with Hamas’ terms.

 

Hamas’ perception of victory also interprets Israel’s inability to decide on a wide-scale military operation in Gaza as Israeli fear and concern over the prospect of a military entanglement. Hamas spokesmen declare at every opportunity that “Gaza will become a cemetery for Israeli soldiers,” call on Olmert to “prepare the coffins,” and state with much arrogance: “We are ready to face a military operation.”

 

For Hamas, a ceasefire is a means for lifting the economic siege imposed on Gaza and in the wake of it, so they hope, the diplomatic siege as well. The transfer of raw materials into the Strip and the renewal of export activity via Israel would enable them to stimulate the economy.

 

After a year in power, Hamas officials are saying that the patience and the firm stand, which are important components in the Palestinian ethos, and mostly in Hamas’ ethos, forced Israel to agree to a ceasefire.

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.16.08, 00:43
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