Latest Israel-Hamas flare-up made Palestinian state a possibility

Opinion: The recent deadly round of border violence between Israel and Gaza militants, might well be the last one, because now more than ever, Hamas is prepared to let the Palestinian Authority take control of the crumbling enclave

Sever Plocker|Published: 05.07.19 , 15:19

Since the first Gaza war in 2008 (known as Operation Cast Lead), every single cross-border flare-up between Israel and Hamas has ended in losses for both sides. The latest round of violence that began four days ago, was no different. People were killed, lives were destroyed and traumas became even worse, and it was all for nothing, because we’re back to square one. There is no sense of victory in either Jerusalem or Gaza, only the feeling of mutual loss.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

It’s reasonable to assume what happened over the weekend was the last major round of cross-border fighting between Israel and the militants in Gaza. Let’s not kid ourselves, there will not be anymore attempts to "restore the deterrence" because it simply can no longer be restored.

Gaza’s economical situation will not significantly improve even if Israel allows for another $200 million of Qatari aid to enter the Hamas-ruled enclave. In order to change the disastrous economic situation in the Strip, billions need to be invested, and it will never happen as long as Hamas - and not the Palestinian Authority - is at the helm.

Hamas militants in Gaza during training exercise (Photo: EPA)

Thus, the day of the intra-Palestinian reconciliation - between Hamas and Fatah - is edging closer than ever. In fact, the reconciliation might well be part of US President Donald Trump’s long-delayed Mideast peace proposal under the chapter “The New Palestine.”

Among other aspects the peace plane might include are: demilitarization of Hamas; annexation of Israeli settlement blocs (as well as isolated settlements) from the West Bank; maintaining the status-quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem and Israeli municipal control of the city (which would also be a ceremonial capital of “The New Palestine”), and an exclusive Israeli security control of the Jordan Valley.

Some sources say The New Palestine would acquire national security services from Israel and conduct democratic elections, but will not be able to buy real estate in Israel (and vice versa), the Palestinian refugee question will most likely remain unanswered.

The economic aspects of the long delayed proposal include: leasing parts of the Sinai Peninsula to The New Palestine - where Gaza port would be established; construction of highways and bridges between Gaza and the West Bank; opening of all border crossings between Israel and Palestine to allow movement of people and goods (financed largely by the Gulf states), and anyone who would oppose the plan, will not receive a single dollar in aid from the White House.

US President Donald Trump (Photo: AP)

Whether these leaks have a truth to them or are designed to undermine Trump, one thing is clear, the reconciliation between Gaza and Ramallah - under the Palestinian Authority’s leadership - is the only acceptable alternative to constant military confrontations.

It seems that Hamas is also now more than ever willing to form a unity government with Fatah and to place its military forces under the command of the Palestinian Authority.

This is the development that Israel must begin preparing for, because the era of cross-border flare-ups is over.