Hamas: Unilateral Israeli withdrawal does not commit us to anything

[oberliner]

Excerpt:

Abu Zuhri, however, said in a statement that an Israeli unilateral retreat would not "commit" the group to anything, highlighting that the situation in the "field" would determine how Hamas responds to such a move.

"The resistance could fight on despite the fact that they have been fighting for 27 days," Abu Zuhri added.

Abu Zuhri also said that Israel has to pay the price for its actions, adding: "They either stay in Gaza and pay the price, unilaterally retreat and pay, or negotiate and pay."

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=717674

[Warren Stupidity]

1. After being pounded for weeks, did anyone expect them to be grateful?

[JI7]

2. Hamas doesn't care about dead kids and other dead innocents

hamas and likud seem to have a bush/bin laden type of relationship.

[potone]

3. They are trying to get the siege and blockade lifted.

They don't want to return to the status quo ante; that is what they have been fighting against.

[JI7]

4. what they are doing is not working , they care more about their own power

[Rhinodawg]

5. ^^^ this....Exactly.

eom

[oberliner]

7. Is that what you think they mean by "pay the price" ?

The price is that they have to lift the siege/blockade? That's what the Hamas leader is referencing here?

[potone]

9. Yes, I think so.

The reason that they rejected the ceasefire proposal that Kerry worked out with the Egyptian government was that it did not address the siege. I very much fear that there will be no lasting ceasefire unless the siege is lifted.

[oberliner]

11. I hope you are right

That definitely seems reasonable. I got the sense that the price was that Israelis would be subject to continued rocket attack in retaliation, but maybe he meant what you are saying.

[LittleBlue]

6. So basically there will be a de facto ceasefire without anyone willing to admit

that it's actually a ceasefire.

I smell Kerry. Calling out Israel's strike on the UN compound today, Israel's withdrawal and this was not a coincidence.

[Nye Bevan]

8. Hamas has learned what happens when they attack Israel.

Hopefully that knowledge should make them hesitate before perpetrating further attacks.

[COLGATE4]

10. The problem is that Hamas' learning curve is

essentially flat. They will go quiet, regroup and try and rearm, only to surface again to try and kill more Israelis as soon as they can figure out a new method to do it.