An Outgunned Hamas Tries to Tap Islamists’ Growing Clout

"Emboldened by the rising power of Islamists around the region, the Palestinian militant group Hamas demanded new Israeli concessions to its security and autonomy before it halts its rocket attacks on Israel, even as the conflict took an increasing toll on Sunday.

Hamas, badly outgunned on the battlefield, appeared to be trying to exploit its increased political clout with its ideological allies in Egypt’s new Islamist-led government. The group’s leaders, rejecting Israel’s call for an immediate end to the rocket attacks, have instead laid down sweeping demands that would put Hamas in a stronger position than when the conflict began: an end to Israel’s five-year-old embargo of the Gaza Strip, a pledge by Israel not to attack again and multinational guarantees that Israel would abide by its commitments.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel stuck to his demand that all rocket fire cease before the air campaign lets up, and Israeli tanks and troops remained lined up outside Gaza on Sunday. Tens of thousands of reserve troops had been called up. “The army is prepared to significantly expand the operation,” Mr. Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

Hamas’s aggressive stance in the cease-fire talks is the first test of the group’s belief that the Arab Spring and the rise in Islamist influence around the region have strengthened its political hand, both against Israel and against Hamas’s Palestinian rivals, who now control the West Bank with Western backing."

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/w...se-of-islamists-in-region.html?pagewanted=all

UN Resolution 242 & 338 should be enforced here together with Hamas being neutralized as they are terrorists.

 

Connery---I do not believe I am telling you anything you do not already know----but for the PEANUT GALLERY OUT THERE------this is what the "arab spring" was all about FROM ITS INCEPTION So well I do remember the EXULTING PRAISE----of the participants----back them-----about ---uhm I think one and one half years ago when the perverted program began (I may be off on the time frame) "YAY YAY YAY "---the fans yelled
"MUSLIMS WANT DEMOCRACY"-----with every splash of blood

nope----its CALIPHATE they want------the most brutal form of Imperialistic filth---

 

Rational thinking to save Palestinian lives would believe that NOW is a good time to end rocket missiles into Israel before Israel has no other option than to launch an ground incursion into Gaza to put an end to this conflict. But then, Palestinians will be Palestinians.

 

MJB---are you ok? read connery again------- DO NOT BLAME THE PALESTINIANS----they are pawns-----this situation is UMMAH CONTROLLED ---not that the ummah has come
to any firm agreements in their own home cesspits------EXCEPT ONE_-------ISRAEL IS THE THORN IN THE SIDE OF ISLAMDOM-----once removed------ISLAMDOM CAN PROCEED TO ITS DESTINED PATH OF GLORIOUS CONQUEST OVER ALL

as in VIVA SA ALADIN VIVA BURAQ VIVA SCIMITAR
VIVA SHEHERAZAD etc etc etc what was the
name of aladin's parrot?

 

ALSO MJB----wake up and smell the choumous

 

These demands by terrorists are outrageous. The Morsi (Muslim Brotherhood) is also on the hot seat in Egypt they claim to have wanted a democratic government now its the times to put those words into action. In his quote below, Morsi is inferring that Egypt is part of the free world. Morsi cannot have it both ways either he is or he is not. There are other factors such as economic incentives which compel Morsi to broker an equitable peace between these parties.


“Israel is an occupying country, and international laws oblige occupiers with many things that Israel doesn’t abide by,” Mr. Morsi said. “If the situation was further escalated, or if a land invasion took place as Israelis have said, this would mean dire consequences in the region, and we could never accept that, and the free world could never accept that.”

Still, Mr. Morsi may not have a free hand. He is a new president of a country in a fragile political transition away from military-dominated rule. He must maintain good relations with Egypt’s still-powerful army and intelligence services, which are deeply wary of Hamas."

 

Connery-----you are probably too young to remember----but I do remember 1967 ------from egypt comes rhetoric that is so idiotic that by MID JUNE 1967 I learned a new phrase "ARABIC HYPERBOLE"-----which is how arab diplomats described the pre war ranting of Nasser. In fact Nasser did say what he meant to say-----but once it does not work out------it becomes "ARABIC HYPERBOLE" -------more recently----everything Achmadinejad says which comes out wrong is defined as "FARSI HYPERBOLE" or mistranslation ----but he says what he means, too. I never ignore that which THE HYPERBOLICS say

 

irosie this is what I see. A total farce on behalf of Egypt

"Egyptian forces witnessed militants fire three rockets across the border from al-Ajrah, a desert area south of Rafah, a security official told Ma'an. Egyptian security forces cannot reach al-Ajrah because it is controlled by Jihadist groups, he added."

Egypt security: 3 rockets fired from Sinai toward Israel | Maan News Agency

 

connery----egyptians --to me----are more enigmative than even IRANIANS-----both are a CULTURED PEOPLE----with ancient histories of magnificent civilizations they were noted intellectuals even in the common era (that's how jews say A.D. ie past 2000 years--its combersome but it works--sorta) Baghdad AND Alexandria were centers of study of the greek philosphies before the muslims got there -----and even after (some jews and christians did stick around-----even zoroastrians in Baghdad---AND there were even some arab scholars of philosophy---AL FARABI in Baghdad) Zoroastrians (iran) were the original astronomers and to some extent math guys along with the hindus)

there are crumbs of that intellectuality----still hanging around in both places------there is hope......the problem with the egyptians -----is they are even more ARABIZED than the Iranians Neither are really arabs------but the IRANIANS KNOW THEY ARE NOT -----not only do they know they are not arabs------never make a mistake and let it be known YOU THOUGHT AN IRANIAN IS AN ARAB BECAUSE HIS NAME IS MUHUMMAD------he will not kill you outright-----but DAGGERS WILL FLY OUT OF HIS EYES I have seen those daggers at the mere mention of "ARAB"

 

And the Palestinians would not attack Israel.

What is wrong with that. It looks equitable.

Neither side will attack the other. Isn't that what a cease fire means?