The Truce: What’s In It for Hamas?
Posted on: June 20, 2008

A new Issue Brief by Lt. Col. (res.) Jonathan D. Halevi of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs analyzes why Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza.

Halevi writes that Hamas is using the “tahdiya” (temporary truce) as a means to consolidate its position ahead of the Palestinian presidential elections in December and – perhaps not surprisingly – to rearm:

  • An important objective for Hamas is winning the Palestinian presidential election, which will be held when Mahmoud Abbas finishes his term of office in December. The lull will permit Hamas to prepare the field to take over from Abbas. Hamas is liable to claim that, according to Palestinian law, administrative authority should be passed on to the chairman of the parliament, who is a Hamas leader, or should be decided by the parliament itself, where Hamas has an overwhelming majority. 
  • The cease-fire also grants Hamas a golden opportunity to expand its military build-up for the next round of terror and violence. Emulating Hizbullah’s strategy, Hamas is striving to acquire longer-range and more destructive missiles to be used for deterrence and as a sword on Israel’s neck.

Read the full Issue Brief here »