Anything But Peace

Whether or not the Israel Hamas ceasefire holds — and most Israeli officials doubted it would for long— nothing fundamental has been solved. For one thing, the terms significantly favor Hamas, which won a major concession when Israel agreed to ease its effective embargo on Gaza.

Which doubtless explains why Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal was boasting that Israel “capitulated to our demands,” as victory celebrations erupted in local mosques.

And why many Israeli mayors of cities targeted by Hamas’ Iranian supplied missiles opposed the ceasefire.

The agreement means at least a temporary measure of calm for both populations. But the underlying problem remains. No “comprehensive” agreement is possible — indeed, no meaningful negotiations can be considered— with an adversary like Hamas, whose primary goal is Israel’s destruction.

And whose savagery was on display for the world to see in the photos and videos of six Palestinian “collaborators” who were murdered and then dragged through the streets to wild cheers from onlookers.

Worse still, Hamas has likely gained support and credibility on the Arab street — further marginalizing the more “moderate” Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, and limiting his ability to reopen negotiations with Israel.

Indeed, Hamas has likely gained stature in the hardline Arab world, as well.

For all the praise being heaped on Egypt for brokering the agreement, the fact remains that what essentially occurred is that the Muslim Brotherhood reached a deal with its Palestinian affiliate.

That’s a recipe for more attacks on Israel — not fewer.

Israel insists it inflicted heavy damage on Hamas’ military infrastructure. But Gaza’s warmaking capability was not destroyed.

Which means, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, that a more extensive Israeli military operation “may yet be demanded.”

What Israel gains from the ceasefire is — at best — a temporary respite from Hamas’ missile barrage.

But no one should suspect for a moment that it even remotely resembles something that can be called peace.