Die schlimmste Option von Hamas, bis auf alle anderen

The latest U.S.-Israeli peace proposal crosses several of Hamas’s red lines. But Hamas still might well agree to it, Ibish Hussein writes.

Almost every provision in President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the war in Gaza involving Israel, other than mutual prisoner releases, “is left to that country’s judgment and discretion,” Hussein writes.

“As the text reads, no Palestinian living under occupation will feel reassured that citizenship of any state will be available to them in the foreseeable future,” Hussein continues. It holds no real promise of Palestinian statehood, and contains no suggestion of granting the more than 2 million stateless Palestinians who live in the West Bank Israeli citizenship.

In addition, Hussein writes, “the agreement carries a strong whiff of colonialism that is anathema to many Palestinians. It would place Gaza under the control of a committee headed by Trump and give executive power to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.”

Yet “the U.S.-Israeli proposal, for all its poison pills, could offer ordinary Palestinians some immediate relief from war and famine—and Hamas the chance to fight another day, but as a political player in the West Bank,” Hussein writes. “Under its terms, ordinary Palestinians would be protected from displacement—and, on paper at least, the plan offers Gaza a bright future of large-scale investment and reconstruction.”

“Netanyahu is probably relying on the group to torpedo the entire thing, which would unleash him to, as Trump puts it, ‘finish the job’ in Gaza, whatever that means. And Hamas may well come back with a simple no,” Hussein continues.

“Hamas could put the Israelis in a more difficult position if it says either yes or, more probable, ‘yes, but,’” Hussein continues.

Read more: [https://theatln.tc/n28BDojj](https://theatln.tc/n28BDojj)

— Kim Jao, assistant editor, audience and engagement, *The Atlantic*