Here’s a shock: Even though the media services have been touting Hamas’ “softening” of their stance against a partial truce (e.g., Gaza only), Ismail Haniyeh said today that they’re not changing their minds.
A day before delivering Hamas’ officially response to the Egyptian ceasefire offer, group leader Ismail Haniyeh hardened his positions Wednesday.
Speaking in Gaza, Haniyeh said that should a truce be reached with Israel, it would bind the parties both in the Strip and in the West Bank. The talks mediated by Egypt currently focus on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip only, as a first stage.
I know you’re all shocked to hear that Hamas is still dedicated to Israel’s destruction, having heard it only about a thousand times from me, but try to control yourselves.
According to Haniyeh, “The truce, should it be accepted by Israel, must be reciprocal and comprehensive – both in Gaza and in the West Bank. The mechanism for implementing the ceasefire depends on halting the aggression, lifting the blockade and opening the crossings. The ball is now in Israel’s court.”
And oh yeah—they’re never, ever going to recognize Israel, either.
Haniyeh reiterated remarks made Monday by Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, stressing that his movement would not recognize Israel.
Watch for the medai to still blame Israel for not agreeing to this bogus truce. The UN has just declared Israel’s Gaza policy a failure. They haven’t come up with any other ideas, though. Just the idea that Israel should feed, clothe, and fuel the enemies who want to kill her.
“The collective punishment of the population of Gaza, which has been instituted for months now, has failed,” he said. “The immediate and common goal must be an end to violence and a reopening of crossings.
Yeah, here’s the thing: The reason the crossings were closed in the first place was to secure and end to the violence. Since they have not yet succeeded in that respect, Israel should do more than keep them closed. Stop sending in food and fuel. Let the Egyptians handle Gaza. It was theirs until 1967. Give it back. Problem solved.