In commentary printed prior to the Israeli strike in Gaza that killed Hamas terrorist Salah Shehadeh, the United Arab Emirates daily al-Khaleej criticized the supposed offers of a cease-fire by both the PLO forces and Hamas. Surprised by the offer mentioned by Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin to halt suicide bombings, the UAE newspaper said, ?The season of making concessions is in full swing in Palestine these days?? The PLO change of heart, the Gulf daily writes, ?is aimed at currying favor with the Bush administration and earning its trust and good will?? The ?concession? of halting suicide bombings, ?which are the most potent and effective weapon against Israel?s extermination war against the Palestinians,? will only lead to demands for further concessions, predicts al-Khaleej.
As for Hamas, al-Khaleej is ?surprised? that the organization would agree to halt suicide bombings in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces to pre-September 2000 positions. The newspaper questions how the Hamas could agree to the presence of Israeli positions in areas held at the time of the start of the current ?intifada?. The scaled back position of the Hamas is abandonment of traditional Arab demands that Israel withdraw to its pre-June 1967 borders, in the view of the UAE daily, and may lead to new, hardened Israeli positions based on the April 2001 lines, or later. ?When the door to making concessions to the enemy is opened, it is considerably difficult to close it,? al-Khaleej warns.
As for Hamas, al-Khaleej is ?surprised? that the organization would agree to halt suicide bombings in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces to pre-September 2000 positions. The newspaper questions how the Hamas could agree to the presence of Israeli positions in areas held at the time of the start of the current ?intifada?. The scaled back position of the Hamas is abandonment of traditional Arab demands that Israel withdraw to its pre-June 1967 borders, in the view of the UAE daily, and may lead to new, hardened Israeli positions based on the April 2001 lines, or later. ?When the door to making concessions to the enemy is opened, it is considerably difficult to close it,? al-Khaleej warns.