Fatah, Hamas To Make Joint Decisions On War & Peace

The unity deal signed between Fatah and Hamas last week in Cairo, ending a decade of bitter animosity between the rival Palestinian factions, reportedly includes “an implicit understanding” that neither body will make unilateral decisions on war and peace with Israel without the backing of the other. The agreement, which restores the administrative rule of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza, has been supported by much of the international community but slammed by Israel—which insists that Hamas disarm and recognize the Jewish state before Jerusalem engages with any Palestinian political entity that incorporates the terrorist group. According to Arab media sources, Hamas has agreed for the time being to stop planning attacks in the PA-run West Bank, with leader Ismael Haniyeh having confirmed to Egyptian television that there will need to be a consensus about “when and how to resist.” The unity deal thus raises questions about how the Israeli government will respond to any Hamas provocations. Previously, Jerusalem held Hamas responsible for all rocket fire emanating from the Strip, even if perpetrated by another group, and has maintained a firm policy of targeting its assets following such aggressions. It is unclear whether Jerusalem will now hold Abbas accountable for any attacks against Israelis, as it does the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, for example, in the event of spillover from the fighting there. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2009, culminating in the seven-week conflict in 2014 which killed some 2,000 Palestinians, along with more than 70 Israelis, and left the enclave in shambles.