The Write Direction: The complexities of a deal for peace

NEWSPAPERS across the globe in mid-October were headlined by the plan for peace in Gaza.

I was sent a copy of the New Zealand Herald, which featured a story headlined: “Public executions after Trump leaves Hamas in control of Gaza”.

The next paragraph went on to say: “Hamas has carried out a mass execution in the streets of Gaza as part of a series of bloody reprisals following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from key urban areas”.

Published around the world, the story was originally written by Henry Bodkin of the UK’s Daily Telegraph.

It goes on to mention that mediators are yet to secure a longer-term political solution that aims to see Hamas hand in its weapons and step aside from governing Gaza.

Separately, the AFP conducted an interview in Qatar with Hossam Badran, a member of the Hamas political bureau, who warned that “the second phase of the Trump plan contains many complexities and difficulties”.

Hamas did not attend the formal signing of Trump’s plan in Egypt.

Hamas is resisting calls to disarm and under anonymity told AFP that this was “out of the question”.

So, there you have an insight into how deals are done.

What has been said to get this deal over the line, for the first stage anyhow?

Does the imagery of Hamas executing a line of Israeli sympathisers on the day after the deal was signed ring any bells for you?

What might have been whispered but not put into writing in order to get this deal started? Was Hamas told that they are now in charge of parts of Gaza that Israeli troops were told to withdraw from?

Does this deal generate thoughts of what happened when the US troops abandoned Vietnam in such a hurry and the Viet Cong assumed control of the capital city?

Trump’s deal has probably ended the war in the Middle East and allowed food and medical supplies to re-enter Palestine, which is a good result for everyone.

But what deal was actually conveyed to Hamas to have this happen is still guesswork.

How will expectations and reality collide?

Does anyone really believe that Hamas will disarm and fade away, leaving their position of power for others to control?

Is that group just reorganising to maintain control under a different brand?

Isn’t the real money supposed to start flowing to rebuild Palestine and if it does, then imagine the fraud, deception and corruption that can occur, should the rebuild ever be funded.

If all the plan’s conditions are not met, then it is my guess that the rebuild funding will never see the light of day.

By John BLACKBOURN