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Hamas Divided Over Continued Fighting

Locals want to stop violence; exiled leaders say keep it up

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2009 12:00 PM CST
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(Newser) – Hamas is split over its next steps in the continuing bloodshed in Gaza. Local leaders want an end to the violence, while exiled bosses in Syria want to keep battling until all their conditions are met, the Economist reports. Outside leaders are putting pressure on Hamas, particularly its Syrian arm, to settle with Israel, which maintains the upper hand in fighting, though it's expected to declare a ceasefire soon.

Diplomats on both sides of Egypt-led talks have suggested that Hamas is growing more open to the idea of a truce. That attitude may stem from a perception that its “only real card,” sympathy from the outside world, isn’t swaying Egypt and other outside countries in Hamas’ favor. Still, within the Arab world, moderates are having a tough time justifying their stance amid widespread anger at Israel. Ultimately, Hamas will probably win the “moral” battle while Israel takes the “strategic” fight, the Economist says.

Flares are seen during an Israeli military operation in the northern Gaza Strip as seen from the Israeli side of the border, Friday Jan. 16, 2009.
Flares are seen during an Israeli military operation in the northern Gaza Strip as seen from the Israeli side of the border, Friday Jan. 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
This handout photo released by Qatari Press Agency, shows a general view of the meeting of the emergency Arab League summit on Gaza in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009.
This handout photo released by Qatari Press Agency, shows a general view of the meeting of the emergency Arab League summit on Gaza in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/HO)
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, left, and Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan meet as part of diplomacy to get Israel and Hamas to adhere to a U.N. cease-fire resolution.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, left, and Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan meet as part of diplomacy to get Israel and Hamas to adhere to a U.N. cease-fire resolution.   (AP Photo/Prime Ministry Press Service)
Palestinians sit on their belongings as they wait to leave a UN school where displaced people took refuge after it was hit in Israeli shelling in the Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.
Palestinians sit on their belongings as they wait to leave a UN school where displaced people took refuge after it was hit in Israeli shelling in the Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
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Israel ceasefire likely today
New York Times

...but Hamas may keep fighting
Associated Press

 
Israel • Gaza • Hamas • Egypt • truce • Arab Israeli conflict

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