Hamas debates technocrat government in Gaza

[Jefferson23]

* Survival mode.

At the peak of the crisis experienced by the Hamas government in Gaza, both internally and externally, Al-Monitor has learned that Hamas decision-makers have started considering withdrawing from the government to avoid further crises.

Hamas is considering making the Gaza government, headed by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, resign, and then announcing a government of “technocrats” made up of businessmen, experts, and independents, who are not linked to a political party or a Palestinian organization.

That option is being considered as Hamas has moved from one crisis to another in recent months, culminating in the Egypt coup that toppled Hamas’ parent organization, the Muslim Brotherhood. This was followed by subsequent security and political measures, such as the closure of the Rafah crossing, the demolition of most tunnels on the border between Gaza and Sinai, and the unprecedented Egyptian decision to ban Hamas.

Fewer losses

An official Hamas source in Gaza told Al-Monitor that the movement is trying to come out with minimal losses and is weighing bad and worse options, costly and less costly options. According to the source, the Hamas officials who are considering withdrawal are those who believe that the increased pressure on the movement will harm its popularity, which they fear is in sharp decline. This decline was evidenced by the latest poll from the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in December 2013, which showed a drop in public support for Hamas in Gaza.

The option of Hamas withdrawing from direct governmental rule is important given that other Palestinian factions have previously rejected Hamas’ call to form a national consensus government. Therefore, the option of Hamas ministers withdrawing from the government doesn’t mean replacing them with ministers from Islamic Jihad and the PFLP, which have repeatedly declared their refusal to take part in such a technocratic government.

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/gaza-hamas-government-polls-popularity.html#ixzz2vhRkQhxu

[Fozzledick]

1. Even the DU spell checker refuses to recognize Hamas.

[shaayecanaan]

2. Done for

No one, and especially not Fatah, are going to sign up for some hare brained halfway scheme like that.

Presumably Fatah simply wait until the Qatari money runs out at which point I imagine hamas will either have to jump or be pushed.

[Jefferson23]

3. Yes, they're done..surviving any which way one can. Best that it come sooner than later,

as the people of Gaza are being scapegoated/squeezed while the alleged fair negotiations carry on
and the plan to get rid of Hamas is working..so it appears.

[Jefferson23]

4. Report: Egypt 'destroys 1,370 Gaza smuggling tunnels'

Egypt's military said Wednesday it has destroyed 1,370 smuggling tunnels under its border with the Gaza Strip, as Cairo's ties remain sour with the Hamas movement that rules the Palestinian enclave.



The statement did not say when the tunnels were destroyed, but the military has poured troops into the adjacent Sinai Peninsula to counter militancy that has grown since July. (AFP)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4498301,00.html