From the Liveblog of
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Hamas considering 5-year truce offer
The leadership of Hamas is torn on whether to accept a five-year-long truce with Israel, according to a report by Palestinian paper al-Quds.
UN Envoy to the Middle East Robert Serry made the offer to Hamas through international mediators. The overture includes, amongst other things, renovation of the homes destroyed in last summer’s Gaza war.
According to the NRG website, there was disagreement on clauses that distinguished between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, but almost unanimous agreement on clauses discussing the establishment of a port and an airfield.
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk say the idea of a five-year truce is intended to cement the disconnect between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Unlike Haniyeh and Abu Marzouk, the head of the military wing, Marwan Issa, supports the idea of a truce, but rejects limiting it with an expiry date. Senior Hamas official Ahmed Yussuf said Serry’s offer should be examined thoroughly before any decision is made.
Meanwhile, sources in the Hamas military wing say its men are rushing to rebuild the tunnel network that was destroyed by the IDF during Operation Protective Edge in order to be prepared for any future altercation with the IDF.
According to officials in the military wing, Hamas does not want another war with Israel any time soon, but wants to be prepared for any scenario.
