Global Geopolitical Series: Hamas to agree to truce with Israel over Gaza but not disarmament

After weeks of violence where Hamas militants fired hundreds of rockets targeting Israeli territory nearing the Gaza border and Israel responding in kind with its air force, a truce seems to be around the corner and it is looking increasingly likely that the last devastating attack along the Gaza border was more of a show of force to strengthen its hand in the truce negotiations with Israel. However, Hamas wants to retain its weapons as a force of future deterrence should Israel try to build settlements along Gaza.

On Monday, senior official of Hamas, Mahmoud Zahar said speaking to Al Khaleej that Hamas will not lay down its weapons or pay any political price as part of any cease-fire agreement with Israel, "Our weapons will remain in our hands and there are no conditions regarding Hamas's right to [continue] the resistance. The truce does not require a political price [from Hamas] and it is not part of the deal of the century." With ‘deal of the century’ he was referring to President Donald Trump’s yet to fully emerge plan to end hostility between Palestinian and Israelis and to stabilize the Middle East as a whole. Zahar also pointed to the fact that a truce benefits Hamas and the Gaza strip.

According to Zahar, some progress was achieved during the truce discussions that took place in Cairo last week between representatives of various Palestinian factions and Egyptian intelligence officials. He said that progress was specially made regarding easing travel restrictions imposed on the residents of the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that the Rafah terminal along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt has been open for the past few weeks.

The negotiation team has returned to respective countries to celebrate the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha and will resume the truce talks by next week.