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Source: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/is-israel-really-obligated-to-lay-off-hamas-30479a8a
Is Israel Really Obligated to Lay Off Hamas?
(Wall Street Journal) Elliot Kaufman - Gaza mediators Turkey, Egypt and Qatar released a joint statement on Aug. 3 stating that Israel's continued targeted strikes on Hamas leaders and perpetrators of the Oct. 7 massacre "constitutes a breach of the [ceasefire] agreement." Israel resumed strikes because Hamas had refused to disarm for the past 10 months, contrary to their 2025 agreement. Senior U.S. officials fear Israel stands in the way of its new Gaza roadmap Turkey and Qatar sponsor and praise Hamas. Egypt long turned a blind eye to Hamas arms smuggling and prefers the group to the Israeli military on its border. Young Washington envoys lecture Israeli leaders behind closed doors, claiming to be doing Jerusalem a favor by pursuing its true long-term interest, if only Israel's leaders were enlightened enough to see. In the 10 months since the Gaza war's end, not one Hamas terrorist has forfeited his weapon. We haven't seen a Hamas signature on the new roadmap, either, whatever that may be worth. Instead, we have Hamas Politburo member Ghazi Hamad, best known for promising to repeat the Oct. 7 massacre "again and again," telling the Journal, "We didn't say disarmament, we didn't say handing over the weapons." If the terrorists now tell the mediators that they are ready to deal, it is likely because they are steadily losing territory and top members.