A Palestinian resistance source told al Al Mayadeen Net, that as soon the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on May 21st, at two o'clock in the morning, and the battle of Seif al Quds was over following international mediation led by Egypt, "international offers and enticements began to rain down on Hamas from every direction."  

The source added that the offers received by the movement were as follows: "a lifting of the siege on Gaza, reconstruction, allowing Gaza to operate public facilities including its [inactive] port and airport, the building of an industrial and tourist city on the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip, and securing job opportunities for Palestinian youth, all for a long-term truce." The source revealed that "in exchange, Hamas would have to abandon the resistance," adding that "the movement has always refused to engage in such international plans because it knows where they would lead down the road."

Britain's recent move against Hamas

The fact that Hamas did not deal positively with these offers, but rather rejected them, can, according to the source, be inferred from the recent British decision to designate the movement’s political wing as "terrorist".

The source added that "the UK had banned the movement's military wing (Al-Qassam Brigades) since 2001, and its decision today against the political wing comes to put more pressure on the political leadership of Hamas to become more flexible on the deals it receives."

This comes in an attempt to "restrict the wing's work," thus complicating the political situation abroad, and preventing it from mobilizing support and aid for the people of the Gaza Strip, the source said, adding that this aid alleviates "the suffering of the people, and enhances resistance and steadfastness in the face of the occupation and these temptations."

The source expected that “other countries will follow UK’s lead in order to add pressure on the movement, leading to what Western circles are promoting with the aim of isolating Hamas." The source explained that "all this pressure is in order to push the movement to make more 'realistic' choices, from the point of view of 'Israel' and Western and Arab countries allied with it."

This is not the first time

These "realistic" choices mean ending resistance and the abandonment of arms capable of deterring "Israel" or enabling prolonged battles against it. 

The Palestinian resistance source continued, "There is no doubt that Hamas wants to lift the siege and ease the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza; despite the fact that it may take advantage of some circumstances to relieve the people of the Strip, it is resistant to this kind of temptation."

The source continued that "this is not the first time that the movement has been subjected to pressure and attempts to contain it, and it is used to dealing with such deal offers since it is a national liberation movement that has a clear program," adding that "since Seif al-Quds, it has accumulated more capabilities that are consistent with this [liberation] program."

The source asserts that "any decision taken by the movement [Hamas] at this level will be coordinated with all Resistance factions," adding that it will not take any decision on that level on its own.