ISRAEL, HAMAS, GAZA FUTURE UNCERTAIN

Written by Michael Thervil

ISRAEL, HAMAS, GAZA FUTURE UNCERTAIN | REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA

[ISRAEL HAMAS GAZA] With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting the failed Americans brokered deal to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas, it has stalled any progression for peace in the region between the two warring factions. With the IDF controlling an estimated 70% of Gaza which totals 140sq/mi (365sq/km), it appears that Hamas is still willing to resist Israeli occupation and the annexation of and that comes with it. While the Trump Administration has proposed in the deal that Hamas must fully disarm, Hamas stated that it would do so overtime if the Israelis agree to leave Gaza for good. Despite this, Israeli hardliners are finding it hard to trust Hamas in this capacity, even though historically it appears that Israel has broken every attempt and agreement to enact a ceasefire between the two entities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted making the following statement to the Press "The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry. And we are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament." While rumors within the Trump Administration hint at president trump being “fed up” with the war between Israel and Hamas, calling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “fucking crazy” on a phone call, geopolitical analyst are not only questioning but are actively entertaining the possibility of a long-term shift in the Trump Administration’s stance toward Israel.

Beyond the rhetoric coming from Israel and the Americans, many within the international community such as Professor Bertrand Badie from the Sciences Po University in Paris has taken the position that “Hamas showed the international community, and especially the Arab countries, that it was ready to engage in a deal. This places it in a position of strength.” As election season heats up in Israel leading to election day on October 27th, it seems as if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is nervous about his chances of being re-elected as Prime Minister because of his handling of the Israeli war against Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently facing three different cases of charges of corruption, fraud and breach of trust.