Gaza

[March-Hare]

Why would Hamas decide to ignore the ceasefire? And can someone explain in very simple terms what the historical background is please? Looking for the facts though please - not opinion and conjecture. Thanks.

[mushroom25]

BBC news earlier reported that Hamas rejected the ceasefire terms as they did not provide for Israeli troops to leave Gaza, nor permit the displaced to return to their homes. subsequently Israel abandoned what was by then a unilateral ceasefire ad the report has been lost amidst newer updates.

[Mosaic]

The historical background: in 1948 the international community agreed a division of Palestine that gave Gaza and the West Bank to Arab Palestinian control. Since then Israeli settlers have steadily taken over ever more land and have made life difficult for Palestinians. At the extreme ends of both sides there are people who promote violence and murder as a means to an end. Hamas is one of these extreme groups. In Gaza, Hamas exerts a huge amount of influence over local politics / local councils. Hamas groups have also occupied parts of Lebanon adjacent to the Israeli border and fire missiles into Israel from there. Israel has encountered military attacks from many sides since 1948 and has adopted attack as the best means of defence. Israel has powerful allies in the USA. Many countries don't recognise Palestinian claims to land and fair treatment.

[mushroom25]

mosaic, Israel did not begin to settle the west bank or gaza until 1967 - until that time gaza was occupied by Egypt, and the west bank was occupied by Jordan (the 6-day war changed that).

[Gromit]

Hamas never agreed to a ceasfire. They want the military blockade of Gaza to be lifted as part of a ceasefire. They regard the blockade as an act of war. The Israelis will not lift their blockade. The tunnels which the the Israelis have been bombing were used to smuggle items into Gaza. Now that many of those have been bombed, the shortages of food and medicines will be even greater, so the blockade has been tightened. While Isreal are enforcing the blockade, which the UN and EU have said is illegal, then the Palestinians will not stop their protests.

The Rocket attacks from Gaza are more of an act of defiance than a military option. Unlike the Israelis 'Smart bombs' which are computer and lazer guided and are 99% accurate, the Palestinian missiles are just 'point and shoot' and are 99% innaccurate. Of the 10,000 (approx) missiles fired in the last 18 months, just 1 fatally has been recorded.

[bazwillrun]

To the best of my knowledge Hamas have broken every ceasfire ever agreed
Hama never have and never will want peace

"We can forgive the Arabs for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. We will only have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us.”
― Golda Meir

[anotheoldgit]

This from 2010

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/a-massacre-of-arabs-masked-by-a-state-of-national-amnesia-1970018.html

[Brenden]

And still the "palestinians" lobbed rockets on Israel during the 24 hour cease fire -which they agreed too, note, Israel did not retaliate, I know which side I believe.

[hc4361]

This link is straightforward and informative, without being too heavy

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/palestine_1918_to_1948.htm

[Lonnie]

Regardless of the original causes of the present conflict, Hamas has in their manifesto, The Complete Destruction of Israel. While that's there, there can never be peace.

[naomi24]

Hello Lonnie, how good to see you. I hope you're well. :o)