Islamic law stipulates that “if Muslims are weak, a truce may be made for ten years if necessary, for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) made a truce with the Quraysh for that long, as is related by Abu Dawud” (‘Umdat as-Salik, o9.16).
Note that this can only be done if “Muslims are weak.” The same legal manual also quotes this verse of the Qur’an: “So do not be fainthearted and call for peace, when it is you who are the uppermost” (47:35). So Hamas would not want a truce at all if it believed that it was in a position of strength. “Interests that justify making a truce are such things as Muslim weakness because of lack of numbers or materiel, or the hope of an enemy becoming Muslim…” (‘Umdat as-Salik, o9.16).
The bottom line: Hamas is feeling the heat and wants a truce in order to regroup and emerge in a stronger position. But Western analysts do not know or care about what Islamic law says, and so they will think this means that Hamas wants peace, and press Israel to go along — when what it really means is that its enemies are weak, and know they’re losing, and Israel should press forward to victory.
“Israel-Hamas war live: Qatar says deal reached to extend truce by two days,” by Edna Mohamed and Adam Muro, Al Jazeera, November 27, 2023:
Qatar’s foreign minister has announced a deal has been reached to extend the Gaza truce by two days.
Hamas says truce extended in agreement with Qatar and Egypt, as Israel had said it was open to extending pause in fighting in exchange for release of more captives held in Gaza….
CogitoErgoSum says
How can anyone not realize that Islam is pure evil?
VMS says
Israel made a big mistake. Israel had the advantage in numerosity and the fact that the war is being fought in Gaza. They therefore have the luxury of rotating out their troops so each gets a good night’s sleep, and eats and drinks well. On the other hand, Hamas can’t sleep for a second with the bombs shaking the ground around them and worrying if they will soon be looking down the barrel of a Galil. A hiatus in the bombing will allow Hamas to regroup and start again refreshed.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Hamas however has the trump card – the hostages. As long as Hamas has even one hostage, they are safe, as Israel is not gonna write off any of the hostages. As a result, I don’t see Israel getting ahead in this chess match until they get back the last of their hostages. For that very reason, though, I can see Hamas dragging out the hostage release as long as they can, given that once they’ve released the last of them, Israel will be free to completely destroy them
James Lincoln says
Tragically, likely the case, Infidel.
rick says
Israel should give Hamas a written promise in negotiating the ceasefire saying:
“No matter how hard you try to drag out this ceasefire, be advised that we promise that eventually Israel will either kill you or bring you to trial for the crimes against humanity that you are so proud of committing.”