“The days of the Messiah have not yet arrived. The Hamas movement constantly states that it has not renounced the “liberation of occupied land via armed struggle.” Israel too has not changed its declared policy, which rejects contacts with Hamas as long as the group does not accept the principles set out by the International Quartet. However, direct contacts are taking police in the field, among low-level officials, while indirect negotiations are occasionally held in Cairo with Egyptian mediation.

In fact, this is a classic hudna (temporary ceasefire) in line with the principles of ancient Islam. It will continue as long as Egypt, Hamas’ new patron, will want it, and end once Hamas’ leadership will decide that renewing the violence against Israel serves the organization’s objectives more than the lull does.”