Haniyeh gave the usual bluster:
"We have confidence in Allah because He's on our side. We are nearing victory over the Zionist war machine. After 17 days of fighting, I can say that the Gaza Strip and faith will prevail. With Allah's help, the Palestinian people will prevail over the infidels."But not everyone was impressed:
Haniyeh's speech, which ended with a prayer, was seen by some Palestinians as an admission of defeat. A Fatah official in Ramallah said the speech reflected Hamas's growing predicament.
"This speech shows that Hamas has been defeated," he said. "Haniyeh has actually raised the white flag."
The official pointed out that the speech was also an indication of the growing rift between the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip and the one in Damascus and Beirut.
"The Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip are desperate for a cease-fire," he said. "After more than two weeks of fighting, they are tired and frustrated."You have Hamas in hiding in Gaza, ranting about how they are nearing victory, while you have Hamas miles away in Syria
The Fatah official said that Haniyeh's remarks were likely to escalate tensions between the two leaderships. "I don't think [Damascus-based Hamas leader] Khaled Mashaal is going to like what Haniyeh said," he remarked. "The Hamas leaders in Damascus and Beirut are under heavy pressure from the Syrians and Iranians not to accept the latest Egyptian cease-fire initiative."True, the Palestinians being quoted are from Fatah--not the most objective observer, but the fact remains that Hamas is talking ceasefire. That is something that should make Iran unhappy as well.
The question now is whether the West will rush in to impose an even-handed ceasefire, or if Israel will be able to push for a ceasefire that does not return the region to the status quo, but rather changes the rules of the game. For that to happen, Hamas will have to cry uncle.
Technorati Tag: Israel and Gaza and Hamas and Operation Cast Lead.
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