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Source: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/iran-war-hamas-tilts-toward-brotherhood
With the Iran War, Hamas Tilts toward the Muslim Brotherhood
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Ghaith al-Omari - The Iran war has both exposed and widened a longstanding division between Hamas officials aligned with Iran and those aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood. Neither camp can be considered "moderate," given their shared endorsement of terrorism and ultimate goal of destroying Israel. Yet the current weakening of Iran will inevitably boost Qatar and Turkey, which have backed the Brotherhood. In the last several months, U.S. officials have engaged directly with Hamas. Yet given Hamas's weakness, such an approach is not only unnecessary but counterproductive. Engagement with the U.S. is a long-held goal of Hamas, heralding entry into the mainstream as viewed by regional actors. Moreover, if Hamas senses it can bypass the Board of Peace's High Representative through direct engagement with the U.S., it will do so. U.S. engagement should be presented as the ultimate prize once Hamas has met its obligations and fully implements the 20-point plan. The writer is a Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and a former advisor to the Palestinian Authority.