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Last update - 07:06 22/04/2008 ANALYSIS: Nothing new under the sun for Meshal and Hamas By Avi Issacharoff Tags: Israel, Gaza, Khaled Meshal  When the head of Hamas' political bureau stood up Monday in front of reporters in Damascus and explained that he had refused the offer by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter for a 30-day cease-fire with Israel, he had good reasons. Besides his usual excuses that Israel already has broken similar cease-fires, Khaled Meshal probably cannot now assure that Hamas' military wing in Gaza, Iz al-Din al-Qassam, will indeed stop firing rockets at Israel. Hamas cannot sell its organization, not to mention the smaller groups, a calm without getting something in return, like the opening of the crossings. And to enforce a cease-fire, Hamas would have to use fire against the other groups, like Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance C Advertisement ommittees. The failed attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing Saturday is a sign of the limitations of Meshal's power. While he was meeting with Carter over the fate of Gilad Shalit, Hamas activists were trying to abduct more Israeli soldiers. The debate between Hamas' political leadership, especially abroad, and the military wing in Gaza is nothing new. But according to the Palestinian Authority, there are complex rivalries within the military wing. Hamas in Gaza reminds some senior PA officials of the factionalized Fatah of the 1990s. One example is the recent tension between Iz al-Din al-Qassam commander Ahmed al-Jabri, and his predecessor, Mohammed Def. Sources in Gaza say Def disagrees with al-Jabri's opposition to reconciliation with the PA, and wants to focus solely on the fight against Israel. Still, Hamas' military wing will toe the line of the political leadership if the latter makes significant achievements in cease-fire talks with Israel, via Egypt. Their basic demand is to open the Rafah crossing. However, Hamas-PA conflicts may doom the deal: Egypt wants PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas' presidential guard on the scene, while the PA is concerned that their presence alongside Hamas guards will result in a bloodbath. The most significant change in Hamas' stance in the talks over a calm is that it gave up on its demand that the calm extend to both Gaza and the West Bank. This may lead to a breakthrough, but if Israel refuses this offer, Hamas will continue its policy of the past few weeks  escalating the violence and rocket fire. Meshal yesterday told journalists that his organization was prepared for a 10-year hudna, or long-term cease-fire, with Israel in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 lines and the right of return for refugees. But there is nothing new under the sun: Meshal explained for the umpteenth time that Hamas had no intention of recognizing Israel, certainly not of making peace. Leaving the region without changing the Middle Eastern world order, Carter can chalk up one success: a sign of life in the form of a letter, expected to arrive soon from kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. No senior Israeli official has so far persuaded Hamas to provide such a sign. Related articles: Yishai to Carter: Tell Meshal that I want to discuss prisoner swap Talks with Hamas / One stage or many? Meshal offers 10-year truce for Palestinian state on '67 borders Bookmark to del.icio.us   Undressed to impress Yeshiva student strips in a supermarket to protest sale of chametz during Passover. Ante up Hamas offers truce in return for a Palestinian state along Israel's pre-1967 borders.   1.   Avi Issacharoff is a bit confusing - when did he write it? 02:43  |  ivo 22/04/08   2.   Actually Mishal is being consistent in that in an interview with 04:23  |  lakshmi 22/04/08   3.   Same BS from Satan and friends 04:28  |  Rafa 22/04/08   4.   You give me all, I`ll give you NO PEACE. 05:06  |  Rob 22/04/08   5.   Carter and Hamas 05:09  |  Reid 22/04/08   6.   Anaysis: No Peace Possible 05:21  |  Mark Lincoln 22/04/08   7.   Why the cowardice? 05:27  |  Mark Lincoln 22/04/08   8.   A horrible truth 05:32  |  Mark Lincoln 22/04/08   9.   Gilad Shalit, Jimmy Carter and Khalid Meshaal. 06:11  |  Fortuna Benmayor 22/04/08   10.   To reiterate then, President Carter achieved the following: 07:04  |  Smadar 22/04/08   11.   Truth is Meshal could not guarentee anything 07:23  |  Shepherd 22/04/08   12.   Nothing new,,,,,,? 08:35  |  Dolly 22/04/08   13.   The Time is ripe. 09:03  |  Dagma 22/04/08   14.   The LETTER......? 09:08  |  charlie 22/04/08   15.   ML`s double triple talk 09:13  |  x-ray 22/04/08   16.   To ivo # 1 - Arabs never change..... 09:14  |  Natasha 22/04/08   17.   Do the Arabs of Gaza prefer terrorism? 09:26  |  Jean Van Daem 22/04/08   18.   lakshmi REVELS in her SELF-INDUCED contradictions (2x) 09:53  |  CK Tan 22/04/08   19.   Forget Hamas.. Whats New with the USA 10:38  |  MiddleStanian 22/04/08

Read & React Amos Oren: Hamas' actions serve the McCain campaign Responses: 9 Israel to compensate family of British filmmaker killed by IDF Responses: 54 Clinton: If Tehran nukes Israel, U.S. could 'obliterate' Iran Responses: 10 Yeshiva student undresses in store to protest chametz sale Responses: 40 Rosner's Domain Fight Hamas, not AIPAC (WTR) The Passover test and The Passion of Passover Just say no to Carter Poll: What is Carter doing in the Middle East? Clinton: Massive retaliation if Israel attacked (WTR) More Headlines 10:58 Report: Egypt and Hamas draft deal for Hamas-Israel cease-fire 09:03 UNIFIL finds Hezbollah arms, gunmen scatter peacekeepers 11:32 Clinton: If Tehran nukes Israel, U.S. could 'totally obliterate' Iran 10:45 Small gain in Pennsylvania could mean big win for Barack Obama 09:08 Italy joins EU drive for more Iran sanctions 07:06 Battling over hearts and minds with Hasidic songs and live performances 10:35 ANALYSIS: U.S. to ask N. Korea: Where's the missing plutonium? 07:15 Israel to compensate family of British filmmaker killed by IDF 05:58 Shas MKs slam their party head's push to meet Meshal 07:06 ANALYSIS: Nothing new under the sun for Meshal and Hamas 01:31 IDF strikes kill three gunmen in northern Gaza 07:05 El Al entering low-cost commercial flights market Previous Editions Select Day 21 apr 20 apr 18 apr 17 apr 16 apr 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 11 apr 10 apr 09 apr 08 apr

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