(bitterlemons-international) Gamal A. G. Soltan - Following Hamas' victory in Palestine's legislative elections of 2006 and the Islamists' takeover in Gaza the following year, Hamas became Egypt's neighbor. Hamas' policy made it look as if it were taking Egypt for granted; Cairo realized the time had come to send Hamas a strong message. For the past year, Egypt mediated between Israel and Hamas toward renewal of a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners, along with Palestinian reconciliation talks. Egypt sought a successful conclusion of the talks so that the situation in Gaza could be normalized until the time came for a final peace deal between the Palestinians and Israel. The months-long negotiations did not produce any positive results. It was Hamas that was most reluctant to demonstrate the needed flexibility. Egypt's new policy is a way to make Hamas realize the hard realities of power and geography. The writer is director of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo.
2010-01-15 08:28:36Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive