Gaza War: Hamas Releases 8 Ceasefire Demands, From Cloud-Cuckoo Land?
Among the many tragi-comic aspects of asymmetric warfare is the phenomenon of the loser, in this case Hamas, making demands as if it were the victor.
While it is true that Arabs in general, and Palestinians in particular, have an unlimited capacity for self-delusion, the Palestinian delegation in Cairo, representing the Hamas-Palestinian Authority unity government, has excelled itself with its new ceasefire demands, according to Ynet.
Just to refresh your memory: The first ceasefire proposal presented by Egypt, and accepted by Israel, was unconditional. Hamas rejected it. It would not have much mattered had they accepted it, since they breached every other ceasefire proposal, even after declaring their acceptance. There is no reason to believe they would have honored the first one either.
Which makes their list of demands for the terms of a new ceasefire beyond absurd. One is inclined to think “you can’t be serious,” unless, of course, they are using the classic negotiating technique of demanding the moon in the hopes of getting half a star.
1. Immediate IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip
2. Lifting of the blockade and opening of the border crossings
3. Extension of the fishing zone to 12 nautical miles
4. Lifting of the civilian no-go zone near the Gaza border fence
5. Creation of airport and seaport
6. Rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip through international donors
7. Release of the fourth tranche of prisoners from the failed talks between Israel and the PA
8. Release of the prisoners set free in the Gilad Shalit deal and rearrested during Operation Brother’s Keeper in the wake of the murder and kidnapping of the three Israeli teens, and the release of Palestinian legislators
With the exception of the release of prisoners, all of the other demands are geared towards Hamas being able to rebuild its war machine as soon as possible. An airport! A seaport! Well, at least they wouldn’t have to smuggle the rockets through the uncomfortable sweaty tunnels. The Hamas operatives could fly comfortably in business class with a cargo hold full of weapons.
How could the world possibly deny them that?
But, I hear you say, what’s wrong with number 6 — Rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip through international donors?
For the answer to that question, just checkout this recent article from The Inquisitr entitled “Hamas Leaders Worth Millions Of Dollars From Allegedly Skimming Donations And Extortion: Is Anyone Surprised?” which lifts the lid on what really happens to these donations.
Sadly, the world will feel obliged to make sure Hamas gets something out of the war they started — sort of a consolation prize.
This month is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. The aggressor, Germany, was forced to unconditionally surrender, and pay reparations.
The Second World War ended with the capitulation of Germany and Japan, again the terms were unconditional surrender.
That’s what used to happen when countries lost wars — “To the victors, the spoils.”
It also used to be that the country suffering the most dead and injured was the loser. In our “Brave New World,” it seems the more of your own civilians you can manipulate into being killed, the greater the victory.
Well. It is the Middle East after all!
