
Is Hamas the real obstacle to a lasting peace in Gaza?
FirstpostAfter 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza, a fragile ceasefire has brought a momentary pause to the violence. Reuters spoke to more than a dozen residents, officials, regional diplomats and security experts who said that, despite Israel’s vow to destroy it, Hamas remains deeply entrenched in Gaza and its hold on power represents a challenge to implementing a permanent ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not articulated a vision for Gaza’s postwar future beyond insisting the Islamist group can play no role and stating that the Palestinian Authority – a body set up under the Oslo peace accords three decades ago that partially administers the occupied West Bank - also cannot be trusted under its current leadership. Joost Hiltermann, of the International Crisis Group, said Hamas’ firm grip on Gaza presented Israel with a dilemma. Hamas’ military capability is hard to assess because its rocket arsenal remains hidden and many of its best trained fighters may have been killed, Hiltermann said, but it remains by far the dominant armed group in Gaza: “Nobody is talking about the PA taking over Gaza without Hamas’ consent.” While senior Hamas officials have expressed support for a unity government, Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority and a longtime adversary of Hamas, has not given his assent.
History of this topic

Israel PM says 'committed' to Trump's Gaza plan
Raw Story
The Take: 500 days on, how Hamas survived Israel’s war on Gaza
Al Jazeera
Rubio says Hamas ‘must be eradicated’, casting doubt on Gaza ceasefire deal
Al Jazeera
Everything we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal and what happens next
The Independent
Fragile Gaza ceasefire a reminder of the lingering Houthi rebel threat
ABC
Israel threatens ‘all hell will break loose’ on Hamas in latest Gaza ceasefire crisis
Associated Press
Hamas says will not accept threats from US and Israel as group’s delegation arrives in Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks
Firstpost
Hamas delegation in Egypt as mediators push to maintain Gaza ceasefire
Al Jazeera
Gaza truce under strain after Trump warning
New Indian Express
Letters to the Editor: Trump’s Gaza takeover would bring only more violence and instability
LA Times
Trump Says Ceasefire Deal Should Be Canceled If Hamas Doesn’t Release All Hostages By Saturday
Huff Post
Israeli official says force withdrawal from key Gaza corridor has begun, as part of ceasefire deal
New Indian Express
What does Trump’s ethnic cleansing proposal mean for Gaza ceasefire deal?
Al Jazeera
Hamas accuses Israel of ceasefire breaches amid hostage exchange deal
Hindustan Times
Israel Orders Army To Plan Palestinians' 'Voluntary' Departure From Gaza After Trump Proposes US Takeover
ABP News
Opinion: Trump’s Gaza plan echoes decades-old Israeli calls to expel Palestinians
LA Times
Opinion: Decoding Donald Trump's Gaza plan
India Today
Donald Trump says Israel would hand over Gaza after fighting: ‘They will have chance to be happy, safe, and free’
Live Mint
Trump's bid to clean up, own Gaza: How friends and foes reacted
Firstpost
Trump’s Gaza plan has stunned the region. Here’s a look at the serious obstacles it faces
Associated Press
The history of Gaza as Trump’s bizarre takeover plan sparks new tension
The Independent
The Gaza Strip has long been a powder keg. Here’s a look at the history of the embattled region
Associated Press
Gaza row: A ’new map’ goes viral on social media after Donald Trump’s takeover comment; netizens say ‘51st US state’
Live Mint
"Like a bad, sick joke": Trump's plan for a Gaza purge amounts to "ethnic cleansing," critics say
Salon
Key takeaways from Trump’s plan for the US to ‘take over’ Gaza
CNN
Gaza Strip has long been a powder keg. Here's a look at the history of the embattled region
New Indian Express
Talks on second phase of Gaza truce deal have begun, says Hamas
Firstpost
Will peace in Gaza hold? Eyes on Netanyahu-Trump meeting in Washington DC
Firstpost
Middle East latest: Hamas officials say they’ve started talks on the second phase of the ceasefire
Associated Press
Netanyahu and Trump to discuss Gaza ceasefire and future of Israeli-Palestinian relations
Firstpost
Most Israelis support end of war in Gaza & Palestinian statehood in US-brokered deal with Saudis: Survey
Firstpost
Israeli PM Netanyahu, under pressure to resume Gaza war, heads to US for meeting with Trump
Firstpost
A US-Hamas dialogue could shift us from war to peace
Al Jazeera
Israel's Netanyahu to visit Washington amid Gaza ceasefire, Trump says
Hindustan Times
Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo to discuss Gaza ceasefire deal implementation
Firstpost
Thousands of Palestinians begin returning home to a devastated Gaza
NPR
Hamas, Islamic Jihad slam Trump's proposal to 'clean out' Gaza, move residents to Arab nations
Firstpost
Donald Trump urges Jordan, Egypt to ‘take in’ Gazans; Hamas rejects peace proposal
Hindustan Times
Israel accuses Hamas of breaching ceasefire as thousands of Palestinians blocked from returning to Gaza
The Independent
Gaza ceasefire faces new hurdle as Israel claims Hamas violated agreement twice
Hindustan Times
Here’s what happens next during the ceasefire in Gaza
Associated Press
Analysis: Hamas and Israel trade blame over deal violations. Will the fragile ceasefire and hostage agreement hold?
CNN
Is Hamas back in control in Gaza within days of ceasefire?
India Today
Clean uniforms, white trucks: Hamas, hiding in tunnels for 15 months, assumes control of Gaza. End of Israel's dream?
Firstpost
‘The key question is if they want to build a Dubai or rebuild Gaza the way it was’: Israel in Davos
Firstpost
Israel wants peaceful Gaza but unsure on funding reconstruction, says economy minister
Hindustan Times
Israel downplays Palestinian Authority's role in Gaza, denies promising Saudis Palestinian statehood
Firstpost
Hamas' tight grip on Gaza complicates plan for lasting peace
Hindustan Times
Trump’s Middle East envoy will enter Gaza as part of ‘inspection team’
Al JazeeraDiscover Related
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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



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