By Bruce S. Ticker
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The role of Hamas was raised at the White House last Wednesday when an unidentified reporter posed a pivotal question to President Trump, and he replied in predictable fashion. He went beyond predictable.
“What guarantees Hamas disarms and that Israel doesn’t resume bombing?” the reporter asked Trump at a news briefing on his 22-point Gaza plan, according to the London-based Daily Express.
“The first thing we’re doing is getting our hostages back,” Trump declared. “That’s what people wanted more than anything else. They wanted these hostages back that have lived in hell like nobody has ever dreamt possible. After that we’ll see but they’ve agreed to things and I think it’s going to move along pretty well.”
In other words, Trump had no idea.
It will be commendable if Israel retrieves the hostages who were carried off from southern Israel after Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis and others on Oct. 7, 2023. However, that leaves 21 more provisions to achieve peace between Israel and the people of Gaza.
What remains to be seen, above all else, is whether Hamas disarms. That is Point 6 in the plan. The Trump proposal to rebuild Gaza backs into the question of whether Hamas gives up its weapons.
For reference purposes, the clause reads, “Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.”
This plan can only work if Hamas completely disarms. Based on Israeli history of more than the past century, I fear Hamas will not cooperate. That sentiment is shared by Israel supporters who are far to the right of myself.
The case for doubt is understated by New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman, as he refers to “an Israeli government that is deeply suspicious that Hamas will regroup.”
Deeply suspicious? That is the least of what any longtime observer can think. I spotted a post of a conservative advocate for Israel stating that the conflict is “eternal” because of Hamas’ fundamental mission to destroy Israel.
The feeling is so ingrained among Arabs, not just with Hamas, that I cannot see how they will let it go. Arab leaders may be serious about building relationships with Israel because it helps their countries, but the average Arab on the street opposes Israel’s very existence.
At best, Hamas may make a display of abiding by Point 6. They will turn over some weapons, but they will hide the rest – likely the most powerful arms.
They may lay low for a long time, for decades if they must. If at all possible, when we are all relaxed, they will strike again with the same level of savagery as Oct. 7. Hamas may lead the assault, or maybe a new terrorist group which has replaced Hamas will sponsor it.
Along the way, terrorists may sporadically attack innocents in lesser episodes that disrupt efforts to rebuild Gaza.
How can anyone possibly monitor Hamas? These terrorists can easily blend in with the civilian population. Or they can retreat to the tunnels.
Hamas will have potentially much help from experienced terrorists who Israel intended to release from prison, Out of nearly 2,000 inmates, 250 were serving life sentences. It should not be hard to select new leaders from this mob.
If Hamas resists, how will an international security force, as proposed, fare any better than Israel in subduing terrorists? French President Emmanuel Macron proclaimed that disarming Hamas is an “essential step” for a lasting cease-fire, and so France is prepared to play a role in a “stabilization force” in Gaza, according to the Times.
Will he remain so enthusiastic if French troops are slaughtered in terrorist attacks? What will their family members tell him? If the body count swells, what will the French public tell him?
I hope I am wrong. I want this plan to succeed. I hope that Trump receives the Nobel Peace Prize that he so covets.
“Now, all parties must fully uphold the terms of the agreement. Today’s opportunity should be seized,” says Ursula von der Leyen, who leads the executive arm of the European Union.
Sound advice. If only Hamas heeds it.
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Bruce S. Ticker is a Philadelphia-based columnist
The IDF will provide the Assurances.
We should not mistake a pause for a lasting peace
I am perplexed that some are celebrating as though the enemy has been vanquished, when in fact they have saved face and walked away with their ideology intact and their heads held high. I am troubled that we may not fully grasp what we are witnessing: this is not the end of the war against Hamas or the end of the threat of political Islam. This is, at best, a momentary pause.
Ticker is very correct.
In the 1980s, Ronald Regan said simply – “trust but verify.” He was right then, and today he would be doubly right again.
Hamas are fundamentalist Muslims. 10% of the Muslim world are fundamentalists.
In the euphoria of the “Peace Deal”, which only President Trump has made possible, we are all hopeful.
We must also be very pragmatic. Hamas, alone, is not the problem. Aggressive Islamic Fundamentalism is.
Fundamentalists are true believers. The Quran commands – Sura 2:191
“Kill them wherever you come upon them (non-believers) 1, and drive them out of the places from which they have driven you out.”
If Muslims have conquered and are driven out, all “True Believers” are commanded to eternal war to retake what was lost.
Israel, and for that matter Spain, and large parts of Europe, were conquered by Muslims only to be driven out later.
Trump is wrong in believing that returning the Hostages is the reason for the October 7 war. Returning the Hostages became the face of the war, as well as its misdirection. The war was, is, and will remain to end radical Islam. Israel wants to live in peace and not be fearful of the next rocket attack from Gaza by another terrorist group, who next time may possess a “Dirty” nuclear weapon.
The next time around, and there will be a next time, the terrorists were proven very correct – take hostages, Israel will roll over.
If Muslims really want peace, it is up to Islam, not Jews, Christians, Hindus, or Buddhists, to rein in its fundamentalists.