Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 04, 2008 Nisan 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:50 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Hamas official Mahmoud a-Zahar (Reuters) Last update - 14:14 01/05/2008 Truce Deal / Hamas claims victory By Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: cease-fire, Egypt, Hamas  Several Arab states were required to bring about the truce with the Palestinian factions in Cairo on Wednesday. Egypt orchestrated the move, but in coordination with Jordan and Saudi Arabia and with Syria's assistance. The Egyptians' resolve stemmed from their fear that Hamas would carry out its threats of another breach of the border, with thousands of Gazans spilling into Egyptian territory. Hamas' rigid opening position included a comprehensive cease-fire both in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, a written commitment for a full opening of the Rafah border crossing and a prisoners' release. Advertisement These required flexibility on Egypt's part, which is reflected in an explicit promise - Hamas says it is a real commitment although apparently it was not given in writing - to open the border. This promise softened Mahmoud a-Zahar's stance and he accepted the "Gaza first" idea. The rest of the deal was more-or-less expected. The Palestinian faction leaders demanded reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah as part of the cease-fire package but made do with Egypt's promise to make an effort to bring the sides together. Now the technical details regarding the border crossing's opening remain. Will the Palestinian Authority's forces be posted at the crossing or at some distance away and be responsible only for the European inspectors' safety; what will the European inspectors' authority be and mainly, what guarantees will Egypt present to Israel regarding the supervision on Palestinians' entry and exit through the terminal. At any rate, Egypt, as the agreement's custodian, has undertaken to be responsible for Hamas' "good behavior" as well as for security in the Rafah crossing point. Egypt went to a lot of trouble to balance Israel and Hamas' demands to prevent either side from claiming victory. Israel "received," at least on paper, quiet in Sderot and the western Negev and freedom of action in the West Bank, while Hamas received Rafah. Hamas is presenting the agreement as a victory for the Palestinian nation and for violent resistance. But it cannot claim an all-Palestinian achievement because Israel has retained freedom of action in the West Bank. However, Hamas will continue holding "the right to veto" the peace process, supported by the Palestinian resistance groups that agreed to the cease-fire. Thus the truce has brought about a historic upheaval - secular Palestinian groups seeking shelter under the wing of a religious movement to achieve political clout. Related articles: Islamic Jihad: We won't sign formal truce, but won't be first to violate it Islamic Jihad: Cease-fire agreement conditioned on lifting of Gaza siege Israel: Gaza truce depends on Hamas control over Jihad Bookmark to del.icio.us   Security first Foreign Minister Livni tells the PA to ensure terrorists don't exploit Israel's gestures. Terrorist pride Lebanon-based guerillas Hezbollah say they're proud to appear on the U.S. terrorist list.   1.   Analysis: Hamas always claims victory 14:39  |  Michael 01/05/08   2.   Free all the prisioners and anti-israel`s.. 16:10  |  John Allen 01/05/08   3.   Finally a well deserve "victory"--a final peace of the grave 16:18  |  Sal 01/05/08   4.   Why the middleeast problem will never end? 16:54  |  Mary 01/05/08   5.   Sal #3 17:27  |  S 01/05/08   6.   What is the point 17:48  |  Dave Duncan 01/05/08   7.   This is Israel`s VICTORY! Israel must claim it!! 17:50  |  The Archives 01/05/08   8.   No Shalit no truce 18:17  |  Bo 01/05/08   9.   Israel - Outsource Your Leadership To Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels 18:49  |  Tod Zuckerman 01/05/08   10.   THE TEST 21:44  |  Arik Silverman 01/05/08   11.   Hamas Truce 11:21  |  Reid 02/05/08   12.   what "freedom of action" means 10:38  |  raymond deane 03/05/08   13.   Everybody wants to be a winner 12:11  |  Rozz 03/05/08   14.   The meaning of a ceasefire. 07:57  |  Jean Van Daem 04/05/08   15.   Hamas always claims victory- their pride is at stake. 10:58  |  Josh 04/05/08

Read & React ANALYSIS: Is this where it all ends for Ehud Olmert? Responses: 21 Amir Oren: No need for a probe to find that Olmert is guilty of the sin of arrogance Responses: 2 Zvi Bar'el: The Egypt-backed Gaza truce resembles a car trade-in deal Responses: 3 Gideon Levy: Why not have a siren for the Naqba on Israel's Independence Day? Responses: 8 Rosner's Domain Carter is helping Hamas achieve their strategic goal Asali: on nationalist fantasies, religious zealotry, of Israelis/Palestinians Should Israel remain Jewish? (WTR) Super headache for superdelegates Talking about war with Iran is not necessarily bad More Headlines 11:23 Olmert: I'll keep doing my job despite 'vicious rumors' 08:26 ANALYSIS: Is this where it all ends for Ehud Olmert? 08:41 Laborites: Suspicions against Olmert could spell PM's exit 09:37 Rice meets with Defense Minister Barak on West Bank roadblocks 10:41 Girlfriends of fallen soldiers hold memorial of their own 11:21 Chief Rabbi to revoke ruling which invalidates thousands of conversions 08:51 Settlers vow to publicize photos of troops who razed Hebron synagogue 10:12 Gaza's only power plant briefly shuts down turbine due to fuel shortage 04:36 Kibbutznik 1948 diary longs for 'purity of that generation' 08:46 Bodies of 5 Israelis killed in Bolivian crash to arrive Sunday 09:10 Report: IDF arrested 363 Palestinians in West Bank in April 08:51 PA to deploy nearly 500 armed police around Jenin Previous Editions Select Day 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved