Both local and international media are reporting that Israel and Hamas are on the verge of an agreement to redefine the reality on the ground in Gaza and in southern Israel. Former British Prime Minister and EU Mideast envoy Tony Blair is reportedly mediating the accord, and Hamas is negotiating it in partnership with Turkey and Qatar.
Ronni Shaked is a researcher at Hebrew University’s Truman Center. The focus of his Doctoral research is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the subject of his research is “The Ethos of Conflict Within the Palestinian Society”. He also served as senior Arab affairs correspondent for Yediot Achronot, Israel’s leading newspaper.
He will discuss the likelihood and the merits of such an agreement in light of the fact that Hamas is considered a terror organization by Israel and other countries. Shaked will also analyze the impact of such an agreement on the Palestinian Authority as the ruling power in the Palestinian territories and the region.
