For the first time in Hamas and Israel history , an agreement is reached between both sides. This history ( 19/6 ) marks a new era in the Palestinian ( and Israeli ) history. This might not be the first time an agreement is made between Hamas and Israel , but it’s the first declared agreement between the two.
The agreement is simple . Hamas stops firing the hand-made rockets that were hitting the Israeli settlements near Gaza, and Israel stops its military acts against Gaza and the ports are open for goods exchange.
Ever since then Israel started its provocative acts. One day after the start of the truce Israeli soldiers start shooting at Palestinian farmers coming to farm their land that they left long time ago due to military acts near the borders. Israel also shot dead 2 activists from the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank. Then few rockets were fired from Gaza as a "response".
It is not clear whether Israel intentionally provoking , but a balanced observer for the whole situation can easily find that both Hamas and Israel are very interested in maintaining this truce in spite of the continuous doubts from both sites.
Hamas, I think, is the winner in this truce. Not only will it be able to regain its military strength as well as its popularity in Gaza , it also proved to its supporters that it was 'strong enough" to force Israel into a truce with it . Internationally I don’t know how will Israel explain it to the public how it is with an "agreement" with the "terrorist organization – Hamas " !!
Locally , the Palestinian National Authority in Ramallah is suffering. Hamas is no longer viewed as a terrorist organization. It’s a Partner. Partner in the Palestinian Legislative Council ( with a majority ) , and a partner with Israel ! Abbas , the Palestinian president, is in his worst conditions . Even Shimon Peretz suspects his viability and importance as a Palestinian leader with whom Israel can start anything.
Hamas is getting more power and support among Palestinians. Internationally the situation is much more better than before for Hamas , and worse for the Palestinian National Authority in Ramallah.
What made Israel go to Hamas for an agreement ?? It could have simply continued with the same pace in Gaza but without any military violence or provocations. Israel was NOT in a MUST position to make a truce with Hamas. This truce is a strategic change in the Israeli policy with Palestinians, no doubt.
What is the truce targeting and what will the long term outcomes be is something that no one can answer now. Linking this change in Israeli policy with the peace talks with Syria and Hezbollah is irrelevant, I think.
The war is now back in the West-Bank : Hamas will start building itself there and the PNA will do everything to stop Hamas from doing so. Fatah is trying to put a tighter hand on the situation but its capabilities and structure is not allowing it to do so. Israel will have to decide soon with whom will it have to work.
Very soon we will see more dramatic changes, in the West Bank this time!
Whatever the changes are, they are in the right direction for the average Palestinian citizens. The situation is much more better in Gaza now , and surely will be so in the West Bank soon.
This truce with Hamas is a true and genuine marker that Israel is moving towards peace with Palestinians. Lets wait and see.
