jerusalem | Last weekend, Israeli pundits predicted that talks among Palestinian terrorist groups and the Palestinian Authority were about to produce a new “hudna,” or temporary cease-fire with Israel — one that even would require some Israeli concessions in its war on terrorism.
But then Hamas balked. The leading Palestinian terrorist group refused to agree even to a limited cease-fire without a formal Israeli agreement to accompany it. So Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia left Cairo having suffered another serious blow to his prestige.
Hamas demonstrated in Cairo that the longtime terrorist group is a tough nut to crack. It flexed its muscles to show that it wouldn’t follow the rules dictated by Qureia and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.
Hamas indicated to Arafat that it can’t be bullied, and the group regards itself as a political power strong enough to set conditions for P.A. leaders.
So what happened to Hamas?
The local leadership, which has been hounded by Israel’s anti-terrorism strikes, is aware of the need to take time out from the intifada. Last week’s operations by the Israel Defense Forces against Hamas targets in Ramallah were a case in point.
Indeed, previous Israeli operations, which forced Hamas leaders underground, had led the organization to declare a cease-fire this summer. The halt of hostilities was short-lived — it ended with a devastating suicide bombing in Jerusalem — but gave the terrorists time to regroup.
However, the Hamas leadership in Jordan and Syria, outside the Israeli-controlled territories, dictated a harder line. Sources in the IDF intelligence division said Palestinian terrorist groups believe they are in a “better strategic position” right now because of U.S. difficulties in Iraq and the growing internal debate in Israel following the presentation of various unofficial peace proposals.
Even after more than three years of suffering, Hamas leaders believe their people can endure more. According to Israeli military sources, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and even Fatah continue to plan terrorist attacks.
No major attacks have succeeded in recent weeks, but security forces claim there are dozens of terror warnings daily.
Abdel Aziz Rantissi, a Hamas leader in Gaza, suggested Monday that too much should not be read into the recent lull in attacks.
“Our operations come in waves,” he said, “so it makes sense that there are gaps between them. This is such a period.”