The hostage-release ceremonies organized by Hamas throughout the first phase of the ceasefire have significantly damaged the group’s chances of maintaining control in Gaza, according to two international diplomats who spoke to The Times of Israel.
Hamas has tried to use these ceremonies as a means of asserting its authority over the coastal region after more than 15 months of conflict with Israel. However, Israel and other parties have condemned these displays as “humiliating” and have insisted they cease before any further exchanges of prisoners for hostages take place.
A senior Arab diplomat and a senior European Union diplomat, who requested to remain anonymous, shared that these performances have led the Trump administration to significantly increase its pressure on Arab countries to develop a plan for Gaza’s post-war governance, one that would involve removing Hamas from power.
The EU diplomat explained, “This was something that the Arab states wanted before but were resigned to the fact that it wasn’t possible, given that Israel had tried to defeat Hamas for over a year and couldn’t succeed.”
The senior Arab diplomat added, “Hamas has been sending signals that it is prepared to give up ruling Gaza. Giving up its weapons will be far more difficult, but that is being discussed in the region in recent weeks.”
{Matzav.com}