Resistance’s blows forced Israel to accept cease-fire
By Mosadegh Mosadeghpour
Regional affairs expert
The stance taken by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his faction about the administration of Gaza post-cease-fire is just a demand from the Palestinian Authority. The fact is that the PA has not exactly been embraced with open arms in the Gaza Strip. This suggests that Hamas still holds considerable sway in the coastal enclave. Interestingly, the PA and Abbas did not take a hardline stance against Israel and its actions against civilians during the 16-month war on Gaza and now they are angling to take the reins of Gaza’s governance. Meanwhile, Hamas officials, despite expressing a desire for Palestinian unity, might find themselves in a situation where such ongoing disputes become a substitute for war in Gaza.
If the Palestinian factions remain divided over the Gaza Strip, it will play right into the hands of the US and Israel, who have been playing a strategic game regarding the territory. Historically, Israel has sought to drive a wedge between Hamas and the PA. The future of post-war Gaza is a hotly debated topic and Israel might revert to its old playbook of targeted killings and military actions.
Page 7