Although Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his officials have so far focused their criticism on Israel and the so-called "occupation aggression in Gaza," they understand that this campaign is in no way similar to its predecessors, and there are those among them who hope that the war will lead to the dismantling of the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip.
Mahmoud Abbas has not forgotten to Hamas the brutal massacre of Fatah members in Gaza in the summer of 2007. Nor has he ever forgiven. The humiliation was too great. Hamas operatives judged members of the Palestinian Authority, paving the way for the takeover of the entire Gaza Strip. Some were brutally thrown from the rooftops of towers, others dragged through the streets and lynched.
Israeli shelling at Gaza port / Social Networks
Even the many years that have passed since have not dimmed the heavy feelings of resentment. The account remained open, and it only seemed to grow. If there is one thing that Abbas continues to carry on his back to this day, it is the resounding failure of his expulsion from Gaza. Against this backdrop, it does not seem that he and his people will shed a tear if Israel finally manages to get rid of the trouble called Hamas. First, it will satisfy his desire for revenge; Second, it will help him come full circle as a leader who has lost the Gaza Strip.
Terrorists from the Hamas terrorist organization, photo: Majdi Fathi/TPS
Over the years, the PA chairman himself has tried to undermine the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip with a series of measures and by imposing civilian and economic sanctions. The seven reconciliation agreements he signed with the terrorist organization since the 2006 elections have not been implemented, and for good reason. Unlike Israel, which negotiated with the organization and gave the promises of its leaders a chance, Abbas never trusted Hamas. As a first condition for implementing the agreements, he always demanded that Hamas relinquish control of Gaza and dismantle the militias and weapons. In advance there was no chance of this.
It is not surprising to see hidden signs of joy in Ramallah. Mahmoud Abbas would like to return to Gaza and be portrayed as someone who came to save it from the destruction of the Hamas regime. Despite his wishful thinking, it will not happen so easily. Ironically, only Israel can restore his lost honor, but he will not rush back at any price. He will want international guarantees and appropriate regional arrangements. The question is whether the public mood on the Palestinian street will allow this.
Above all and above all, he cannot afford this to happen while presenting himself as a subcontractor of Israel and as someone returning to Gaza on Israeli tanks. In any case, this scenario is still far away and depends on the course of the war and its outcome.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us