Hamas is seeking a ceasefire to preserve its military dominance in Gaza, paralleling Hezbollah’s status in Lebanon. Proposed governance models involving the Palestinian Authority may inadvertently allow Hamas to sustain its power. Israel must decisively act to dismantle Hamas’s capabilities to prevent a dangerous repeat of Lebanon’s history in Gaza.
Hamas aims to secure a ceasefire to maintain its military dominance in Gaza, akin to Hezbollah’s authority in pre-war Lebanon. The organization seeks to rebuild its military and reinforce its governance control over the region, presenting itself as a legitimate power while retaining its military capabilities. This strategy, if successful, would enable Hamas to launch further hostilities against Israel at a later date.
There have been proposals from Egypt and other regional actors to establish a governance model in Gaza, suggesting the Palestinian Authority could take temporary control through a technocratic government. However, these propositions would inadvertently lead to a situation reminiscent of Lebanon’s historical context, as Israel’s military efforts against Hamas are not yet complete.
Egyptian President Fateh El-Sisi has publicly supported the continuation of ceasefires and the pursuit of an independent Palestinian state, affirming that Egypt does not support the eviction of Palestinians while advocating for an administrative committee to manage Gaza temporarily. Nonetheless, the specific details regarding Hamas’s exclusion, financing for Gaza’s reconstruction, and governance remain unclear.
Reports indicate that Hamas is open to various arrangements to retain its power amid ongoing negotiations with other Palestinian factions under Egyptian pressure. Despite claims of potential cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, the underlying reality is that Hamas is unlikely to relinquish its governing authority over Gaza.
Hamas’s strategy appears to mimic Hezbollah’s former arrangement in Lebanon, where the group maintained military control beneath a façade of governmental sovereignty, enabling them to dictate policy while circumventing any real accountability. This model proved advantageous for Hezbollah, allowing them to enhance their military capabilities under the guise of a legitimate government.
If Hamas successfully adopts a similar strategy in Gaza, it would prevent Israel from taking decisive action against the group due to potential international backlash regarding governance sovereignty. History shows that international peacekeeping forces often become ineffective, enabling militant groups to exploit these situations for their advantages.
Consequently, decisive military actions from Israel are essential to dismantle Hamas’s control fully. Any future governance in Gaza must ensure that Hamas’s military options are eradicated, allowing Israel to conduct counterterrorism operations as necessary. Only then can a governance structure supported by international partners be contemplated for Gaza, with security measures in place to prevent any resurgence of terrorism.
The article highlights Hamas’s strategy to initiate a ceasefire while maintaining control over Gaza, aiming to replicate the Hezbollah model observed in Lebanon. The calls for governance involving the Palestinian Authority, primarily from Egypt, risk allowing Hamas to rearm and reinforce its military capabilities. Thus, the article advocates for decisive action by Israel to dismantle Hamas’s power structure to ensure long-term regional stability before reconsidering governance arrangements in Gaza.
Original Source: besacenter.org
