Hamas Alone in the Field

Author: إبراهيم أبراش

With the acceptance of the majority of Arab and Islamic countries, including Hamas's traditional allies like Qatar and Turkey, as well as the majority of the world concerned with the conflict in the region, the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian presidency have also accepted President Trump's plan. Hamas has become isolated in facing not only Israel but the entire world, even Iran has distanced itself from the Palestinian cause and is preoccupied with its own internal issues and confronting the imposed sanctions. Will Hamas agree to Trump's initiative, or will it continue its stubbornness and obstinacy?
In my opinion, and after Trump's recent threat and giving Hamas four days to respond, the movement cannot outright refuse; instead, it will respond ambiguously, including implicit acceptance. This is not out of concern for Palestinian interests or out of a sense of solidarity with the suffering, hunger, and humiliation of the people of Gaza, but because it bets that its acceptance will please Trump and enhance his chances of winning the Nobel Peace Prize, to be announced in a few days. In this, it hopes that Trump will find it a political role in future arrangements for the sector.
The movement will find various justifications for accepting the initiative, such as claiming it is responding to international will and the pressures of its allies and to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza, etc.
Unfortunately, whether Hamas accepts or rejects Trump's initiative, Israel will continue its generalized war against all the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Trump's initiative, even if it allows food and medicine to enter and postpones the plan for forced displacement, will open the gates of hell not only for Hamas but for all of Gaza through the outbreak of a civil war that Israel has already prepared for by forming armed groups and gangs like those of Abu Shabab, Al-Ashtal, Jundiya, Halas, and Al-Mansi, which will take on the remnants of Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters, and they will hold the upper hand in ruling the sector, not the "Peace Council" chaired by Trump and Blair or even the local administration stipulated in the initiative or the Arab forces scheduled to be sent.
The Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip, will not forgive Hamas for its role in bringing about the current state of affairs in the sector and the entire national cause.