Publication

Hamas leader Mashal declared that Hamas intends to adopt the strategy of popular resistance. This has raised hopes that change has occurred and that Hamas is seeking to alter its historical path, i.e., cease engaging in terror. The author notes that it remains to be seen how this declared policy will influence the military leadership in Gaza: the contradictory statements by prominent Hamas figures highlight the continuing indecisiveness in the movement. Israel however has an interest in attempting to influence the process by indirect actions such as responsiveness to the needs of Gaza’s residents.