There are reports that Hamas leaders are discussing the possibility of offering Israel an unconditional “hudna”– cease fire. An anonymous Hamas official claims “discussions over the ‘hudna’ have resurfaced in a serious manner, both within Hamas and between Hamas and other Palestinian factions. We hope the discussions will prove successful.” Talks revolve around offering a no conditional cease fire which would be respected by both sides. However, in an interview with the Kuswait newspaper, A-RRai, Hamas representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, insisted Hamas was still opposed to any peace agreement with Israel. Israel government officials still maintain its nation will not halt military action against Hamas until all rocket attacks cease and warn against being tricked by Hamas in order for its forces to replenish weapons during a cease fire.
The mistrust between Hamas and Israel makes difficult any opportunity to engage in serious discussions. A fundamental mistake was failure to invite Hamas to the Annapolis conference. Hamas must be at meetings which include representatives of Arab nations, many of whom are sick and tired of the entire Israel -Palestinian conflict and want a resolution. It is the Arab nations which must silence Hamas, not Israel. That is the ongoing mistake of Israel foreign policy.
