Time for the US to Consider Hamas’s Survival in Gaza: Analysis

Israel-Hamas Truce Holds as Talks of Extension Emerge

Three days into the four-day truce between Israel and Hamas, both sides are showing signs of compliance, leading to discussions about a possible extension. Under the truce agreement, 50 Israeli women and children were supposed to be exchanged for 150 Palestinian women and children, with mediators hinting at the possibility of extending the deal.

Israel’s war cabinet has attributed the truce to the military pressure it exerted on Hamas, despite previous statements vowing to free hostages by force. By agreeing to the terms of the release, Israel acknowledges its ability to negotiate with Hamas and acknowledges that it is not closer to eliminating the group. In fact, Israel’s actions have made Hamas more elusive by laying waste to much of Gaza City and its governing institutions.

The recent raid of Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital by the Israeli army failed to produce evidence of a Hamas-operated command center, casting doubt on Israel’s ability to uproot Hamas. This reality must be recognized by the Biden administration, which should abandon unrealistic rhetoric about ending Hamas and consider a more achievable political solution that acknowledges the group’s survival.

Israel’s air and ground assault, which aimed to eliminate Hamas, has so far failed to stop Palestinian fighters’ ambushes and rocket attacks on Israeli positions. The war, which has entered its seventh week, has resulted in the deaths of over 14,800 Palestinians, including 6,100 children and has caused significant destruction and displacement. The massive bombing campaign has not weakened Hamas’s battle capabilities.

Tolerance for Israel’s actions is declining, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a ceasefire and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium condemning Israel’s indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians and the destruction of Gaza’s society. Public opinion in the US is also shifting in favor of a permanent ceasefire, with mass demonstrations taking place nationwide.

Public pressure may have influenced the push for the hostage exchange and may lead the Israeli government to reconsider its intention to continue the war. The conflict is already taking a toll on the Israeli economy, losing over a quarter billion dollars a day and disrupting transportation.

The Israeli government’s insistence on continuing the war without a viable endgame acceptable to its allies, including the US, has faced opposition. The US has refrained from proposing any policies that acknowledge Hamas’s survival. Instead, the US should work with mediators to move towards discussions of a long-term ceasefire and engage with Hamas’s political leadership-in-exile.

Building on past negotiations that allowed Hamas’s leader to return to Gaza, there is hope for a way out of the crisis. It also requires reining in Israel’s extremist policies and a commitment to Gaza’s reconstruction and development. Accepting the reality of Hamas’s survival is crucial to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Overall, the article provides an analysis of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and emphasizes the need for a more realistic approach that considers Hamas’s survival. The sources cited in the article are not explicitly mentioned, raising questions about their credibility. The article presents a one-sided perspective that is critical of Israel’s actions and policies while portraying Hamas as a resilient group. This could potentially contribute to a biased understanding of the conflict. The impact of the information presented may vary depending on the reader’s existing knowledge and perspective on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The political landscape and the prevalence of fake news could influence public perception by reinforcing existing biases and spreading misinformation. It is important for readers to critically evaluate the credibility and objectivity of news sources before forming an opinion.

Source: Aljazeera news: It is time the US considers Hamas’s survival in Gaza