Article 431171

Discussions about a potential agreement with Hamas have renewed concerns over whether Israel might repeat historical errors by engaging with an organization that some analysts characterize as viewing agreements primarily as tactical tools rather than binding commitments.

Middle East expert Dr. Mordechai Kedar cautioned that the most reliable approach to avoiding entrapment is to avoid signing agreements with Hamas altogether. "They have a long history of violating agreements," He stated. "As far as they're concerned, particularly when it comes to non-Muslims, deception, hiding, stalling for time, and cheating are legitimate means to reach a goal. This modus operandi is based on the Hudaibiya Pact (signed by Mohammed in 628 AD), which they see as merely temporary."

Kedar explained that Islamic organizations view the Hudaibiya Pact as a framework that can be disregarded once the balance of power shifts. "As long as they don't have power, they sign, but the second they gain power, as far as they're concerned, the agreement is no longer binding. Therefore, anyone who signs with them has to understand that the agreement may be broken the moment they have an interest to do so."

However, Kedar did not entirely rule out signing an agreement if it served broader Israeli interests or diplomatic objectives. "If we want to make a move that enables diplomatic achievements with the White House or in preparation for another move, we can sign. But we can not make a mistake and think that this is true peace. We have to understand that this is a game."

Kedar identified a recurring miscalculation by Israel and Western powers: assuming the other side shares identical goals. "We assume that they want peace, welfare, and a good economy just like we do. But to them, the goal remains the destruction of Israel. As long as they can't do it, they accept temporary agreements."

Should an agreement be reached, Kedar emphasized the necessity of stringent enforcement provisions. "We must state that any violation, even the entry of one rifle into the Gaza Strip, immediately cancels the agreement and allows Israel to return to war. Not to wait until they bring in thousands of weapons and only then to claim that the agreement was violated."

Beyond restricting weapons imports, Kedar stressed that agreements must prevent Hamas from reconstituting military capabilities. "We have to also ban the weapons training, even with fake wooden weapons. We can not allow them to rebuild their military infrastructure under the guise of other activities. We have to close every possible loophole."

Kedar referenced the Egypt peace agreement as an example of how enforcement determines an agreement's value. "An agreement at the end of the day is just paper. The question is how it's enforced. If every violation is answered with a fierce and unrelenting response, the other side will understand that there's a real price for violating obligations."

On the prospect of expelling senior Hamas officials from Gaza, Kedar acknowledged potential value but cautioned against viewing it as a definitive resolution. "If the commanders leave, that would certainly be a success," He said. "But we must not think the problem ends there. There will always be replacements. At first, they may be less experienced, but within a short time, new leaders will emerge and continue down the same path."