This is true, but we also need to be realistic about the fact that saying you support an agreement is never an actual guarantee that you’d support it if the other side agreed to sign.
Israel has repeatedly asserted that they supported a deal only to find one more small issue every time Hamas agreed. And it’s important to be clear-eyed that we cannot really assume what Hamas will do if Israel finally agreed. I desperately hope that Sinwar recognizes that a ceasefire under any terms would be in his best interest. But this is a guy with his own vision of what success is, and leading after an assassination of Haneyeh. That’s complicated. It’s very hard to predict what someone in that situation will do.
I hope that what they say is true. I think acting as the more honorable party would be in their interest. But we need to recognize that until Netanyahu is forced to sign on the line, at this point we really don’t know what to expect from Sinwar.
I wouldn’t say a ceasefire under any terms is good. For example, a ceasefire only if they surrender all their weapons is actually worse if Israel continues to spread their settlements, killing Palestinians and pushing them out of their land. It would just speed up the genocide a little later. I think they’re willing to give up a lot, but it must be tough to also consider things like that when you’re put in that position.
This is true, but we also need to be realistic about the fact that saying you support an agreement is never an actual guarantee that you’d support it if the other side agreed to sign.
Israel has repeatedly asserted that they supported a deal only to find one more small issue every time Hamas agreed. And it’s important to be clear-eyed that we cannot really assume what Hamas will do if Israel finally agreed. I desperately hope that Sinwar recognizes that a ceasefire under any terms would be in his best interest. But this is a guy with his own vision of what success is, and leading after an assassination of Haneyeh. That’s complicated. It’s very hard to predict what someone in that situation will do.
I hope that what they say is true. I think acting as the more honorable party would be in their interest. But we need to recognize that until Netanyahu is forced to sign on the line, at this point we really don’t know what to expect from Sinwar.
I wouldn’t say a ceasefire under any terms is good. For example, a ceasefire only if they surrender all their weapons is actually worse if Israel continues to spread their settlements, killing Palestinians and pushing them out of their land. It would just speed up the genocide a little later. I think they’re willing to give up a lot, but it must be tough to also consider things like that when you’re put in that position.