Dr. Edi Cohen Warns Hamas Will Not Relinquish Power or Weapons Voluntarily
Dr. Edi Cohen, a Middle East expert and chairman of the Forum for Middle Eastern Studies and Public Diplomacy, expressed skepticism about recent declarations by Hamas regarding relinquishing control or disarming. He criticized the peace roadmap for Gaza published last week by the Peace Council, stating that Hamas will not voluntarily give up its power or weapons. Cohen emphasized that even if Hamas claims to hand over control or disarm, it does not indicate a genuine change on the ground, as terrorist organizations never willingly surrender authority.
Cohen suggested Hamas might make such declarations to secure continued international aid while maintaining actual control over Gaza. He insisted on seeing heavy weapons physically handed over to a third party, such as the United States, before accepting any claims of disarmament. Regarding reports of Palestinian leader Mohammed Dahlan’s involvement in Gaza, Cohen noted Dahlan’s advice to Hamas to lower their profile by avoiding demonstrations in uniform, interpreting this as an attempt to create an illusion of change without Hamas losing real power.
On Israel’s approach, Cohen argued that no reconstruction or withdrawal should occur before Hamas is fully disarmed and all its military infrastructure, including underground facilities, is destroyed. He warned this process will take significant time and cannot be rushed by declarations alone. Cohen also stated that decisions about who will govern Gaza should be postponed until Hamas’s military capabilities are dismantled. He rejected any Turkish involvement in Gaza, citing Turkey’s broader regional ambitions, including control over Jerusalem.
Cohen called on Israel to intensify diplomatic efforts with Washington to expose the new Syrian regime’s harm to various populations and the ongoing Islamization process there. He stressed the importance of Israeli diplomacy in presenting an accurate picture of the regional situation to the U.S. administration.
Summary: Dr. Edi Cohen warns that Hamas will not voluntarily relinquish control or weapons in Gaza despite recent declarations, urging Israel to demand full disarmament before any reconstruction or withdrawal. He also opposes Turkish involvement and calls for stronger Israeli diplomacy with the U.S. regarding regional threats.
