The political scientist appreciated the reports about the regrouping of Hamas troops

Reports of the regrouping of troops by the Palestinian radical movement Hamas in the event of a resumption of hostilities in Gaza indicate that it is preparing for various options for the development of the negotiation process with Israel. Stanislav Tarasov, an expert on the problems of the Middle East and the Caucasus, told Izvestia on February 26.

Earlier in the day, the newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)She reported that Hamas is regrouping its armed forces for a possible resumption of hostilities. The ceasefire agreement in the enclave ends on March 1. Also Financial Times (FT)She wrote that Israel intends to delay the first stage of the deal with Hamas indefinitely in order to avoid commitments to a complete cessation of hostilities.

Tarasov recalled that the transition to the subsequent stages of the truce is associated with additional negotiations, which makes it difficult to reach subsequent agreements.

"The first stage is a specific hostage exchange, the second stage is more about the political future — the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, the formation of a team that can govern Gaza, the third stage is already a solution to the Palestinian problem," the expert noted.

The hostages were returned, Hamas began to create a unified management structure, and inside Israel, at this time, they are wondering about the benefits for Israel, the expert emphasized. According to him, there are also calls inside the country not to comply with the second stage of the ceasefire agreement and to switch back to a military scenario.

The regrouping of troops by Hamas indicates the readiness of the Palestinian movement for various options for the development of the negotiation process, including the resumption of hostilities in the enclave, the political scientist stated.

"One way or another, with a creak, but the process still continues. But it's going as fast as it's supposed to. Therefore, reports that Hamas is threatening to start hostilities should be treated in the same way as Israel's statements about its readiness to resume hostilities — as opportunistic moments that highlight tactics of action in a specific situation, rather than in general," Tarasov concluded.

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On February 23, it was reported that Israel postponed release 620 Palestinian prisoners until Hamas abandons the "humiliating ceremonies" when handing over hostages. On the same day Washington supported the decision of Tel Aviv.

The Palestinian group condemned the delay, but announced on February 25 in a Telegram channel that the prisoners would be transferred in exchange for the bodies of the dead Israeli hostages.

The ceasefire agreement in Gaza entered into force on January 19. During the first stage of the deal, 33 Israeli hostages and about 1,900 Palestinians are to be released within 42 days.