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Hamas Buys Time with Gaza Board of Peace Agreement
(Ha'aretz) Amos Harel - Hamas seems to have accepted the agreement with the Board of Peace mainly because it buys time. Living conditions in Gaza are extremely difficult, the IDF controls 60% of the enclave, and Israel has been killing Hamas military leaders every few days. The agreement could relieve the immediate military pressure on Hamas. Israel is demanding the surrender of both rifles and rockets, as well as the continued destruction of tunnels. It also insists that the disarmament process be completed before the IDF fully withdraws from Gaza. The international stabilization force currently consists of only 200 soldiers from Uganda and Morocco and is expected to deploy near the Rafah crossing in the south, initially focusing on facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid. The plan also envisions the dismantling of local militias that oppose Hamas. For those groups, surrendering their weapons would effectively mean a death sentence at the hands of Hamas.