Hamas Reignites Turmoil for Israel, Washington Weary of Netanyahu’s Games
Analysts and experts have suggested that the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, provided a clever response to the ceasefire proposal, ensuring that the ball is now in the court of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. It was anticipated that Hamas’ response would shift the focus to Israel, which has failed to achieve any of its objectives. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, discussed the situation in an Al Jazeera interview, stating that Hamas’ response combined an unconditional cessation of hostilities with consideration for the needs of the people in the Gaza Strip, effectively merging political and humanitarian aspects.
Barghouti also criticized US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s remarks in Doha, emphasizing America’s clear bias towards Israel by not addressing the aggression, occupation, settlement, or the rights of the Palestinians. Additionally, he noted the attempt to divert attention from the conflict between Palestinians and the occupation to a supposed struggle between the United States, the rest of the world, and Iran, depicting Israel as the victim rather than the aggressor.
Moreover, Barghouti highlighted Blinken’s focus on immediate normalization with Israel, without a specific timeline for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. The United States’ attempt to impose a new Oslo Accord and prioritize this path for achieving normalization at the expense of the Palestinians was also underscored. Ultimately, despite Israel’s efforts, it was compelled to engage in negotiations with the resistance, despite threatening to eliminate it. Dangerous trends within Israel signify internal divisions, according to Barghouti.
Dr. Mohammed Hillesa, a political analyst, commented on how Hamas has redirected the narrative, thereby challenging Netanyahu’s anticipation for a rejection to push forward his war agenda. Hillesa believes that Netanyahu will manipulate the positive response from the resistance, which Qatar has described as cause for optimism, presenting it as a rejection, suggesting that acceptance equates to Israeli defeat and surrender. He also anticipates that this will exacerbate domestic divisions and the dispute with America, aligning with a significant concession through normalization with Saudi Arabia.
Former US diplomat William Lawrence expressed Netanyahu’s inclination towards the far-right while emphasizing Washington’s weariness of such tactics and the desire to conclude the matter. Lawrence also credited Qatar and Egypt for playing a crucial role in regaining the hostages (prisoners), which has become part of the US strategy. Additionally, he emphasized that the excessive focus on the internal Israeli stance is contingent on the condition that the US informs Israel that continuing the war is detrimental to its interests.
Furthermore, the fact that Washington is earnestly discussing a Palestinian state represents the first time in decades, indicating the possibility that the establishment of this state, despised by Israelis, may serve American interests, according to Lawrence. Eiad Al-Qar’a, a political analyst, stated that Hamas has surpassed the pressure exerted on it in recent months, smartly responding after foiling the primary objectives of the destructive war by the resistance over four months and creating a situation for diplomacy to progress.
