PA official: Hamas signaling willingness to observe truce

[bemildred]

Mostly for the excerpt.

Hamas appears to have been rattled by the
Israeli air strikes, as well as by efforts by
the United States, the European Union and the
Palestinian Authority to prevent foreign
funding from reaching the group.

However, the group also may have won some
leverage over Arafat's fate, after Israel's
security Cabinet decided last week to "remove"
the Palestinian leader. The decision left
unsaid whether this would mean expulsion or
assassination, and did not set a time for
possible action.

It is widely believed that Israel might move
against Arafat in response to another major
terror attack; Hamas has been the main
perpetrator of such attacks, including suicide
bombings, in the past three years of fighting.

Haaretz

[forgethell]

1. I think

the Israelis planned to "rattle" Hamas? Looks like, when they are they ones dying, instead of Arab & Israeli children, that "suicide" is not such an attractive option.

[bemildred]

2. No shit?

You think they were killing them on purpose?
How about that.

The point I found interesting is that Hamas is (apparently)
in a position to get Arafat killed, a thing that would
bolster their position, which has been weakened. Get it?

[Gimel]

3. That would do it

fantastic ploy! On the other hand, Arafat might see the writing on the wall, and go into retirement. I'm hoping that will happen.

[newyorican]

4. Arafat will either...

Die in his sleep, be killed at the start of another Nakba or will be the father of the Palestinian nation (with honors, regardless of Israeli sentiment). Retirement is not in the cards, no matter how hard the wishing. My 2 bits...