Reply #48: I wonder if this had anything to do with it:

[smallprint]

Hamas suggests willingness to disarm


GROUP SAYS IT MIGHT GOVERN VACATED STRIP

By Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

Knight Ridder
March 9, 2004

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The spiritual leader and founder of Hamas said Monday that his militant
organization might seek to be part of any government ruling the Gaza Strip if Israel follows through with its proposal to remove its settlements and military outposts there.

Sheik Ahmed Yassin told Knight Ridder in an exclusive interview that his group might lay down its arms and participate in elections. The statements were unusual because Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, has rejected any role in a Palestinian government that negotiates with Israel, given its charter to annihilate the Jewish nation.

snip

``In the event of a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Hamas will possibly take part in the'' Palestinian ``Authority through elections and national consensus'' on developments after the withdrawal, the cleric said, sitting at home in his wheelchair and draped in an Egyptian- woven gold-and-black scarf.

more:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/2004/03/10/news/world/8140735.htm


I guess Sharon wanted to make sure Yassin would never be part of any 'peace process'.