In traditional Islamic law, Muslims may only agree to a truce (hudna) for up to a 10-year-period, and only when they are at a disadvantage and need to gather strength to fight again more effectively. Thus the offer of a truce is an acknowledgement of weakness by the forces of jihad, and the most unwise move Israel could possibly make would be to accept the offer.
From AP, with thanks to Sara:
Palestinian PM’s aide says Hamas will not join unity government if recognizing Israel is a condition, adds group prepared to agree to ‘long term truce’ with Jewish state until it withdraws from territories
The Palestinians’ ruling Hamas group will not join a planned coalition government if recognizing Israel is a condition, a close aide to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said Friday. At the United Nations on Thursday, the moderate Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said the planned national unity government between his Fatah Party and Hamas would recognize the Jewish state.
But Haniyeh’s political adviser, Ahmed Yousef, told The Associated Press on Friday that “there won’t be a national unity government if Hamas is asked to recognize Israel.” The two parties announced last week that they would team up to govern, in an effort to ease crushing international sanctions imposed on the Hamas government to pressure it to soften its violent anti-Israel ideology.
Their preliminary agreement says the new government would strive to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel – implying recognition of the Jewish state. But coalition talks have faltered because the West and Israel want Hamas to clearly state its willingness to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept existing peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
5 to 10 year truce
Yousef said instead of recognizing Israel, Hamas was prepared to agree to a “long-term truce for five or 10 years, until the occupation withdraws.” He was unclear on what Hamas would do if coalition talks break down.