Hamas's announcement on the dissolution of its government was a ruse meant to maintain its weaponry, Col. (Res.) Dr. Moshe Elad, a Palestinian affairs expert from the Western Galilee Academic College, said on the 103FM radio show "Five in the Evening" on Monday.
"The intention is obviously mostly public, to pretend as though they have no interest in the current government," Elad clarified.
"When someone is told to give up their main asset, they say, 'I will give up something else instead.' They are being told to give up their weapons, so instead, they supposedly give up their governance. With the weapons left in their hands for the time being, they will be able to rule, without a shadow of a doubt. No other government will step into the slot they are vacating, which is why I think they are playing a very big trick here, and everyone understands it is a trick."
Regarding the Board of Peace, he said, "The Americans do not understand what kind of trouble they are getting into."
Later, Elad addressed the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) that is supposedly meant to replace Hamas's rule. "What is this international council worth that will allegedly replace them? It has no real power, no authority to issue decrees, and no power to enforce anything, like the collection of weapons. Hamas inside Gaza is currently boosting its forces and recruiting people. True, it is recruiting people without experience or capability, but it is showing that it still has strength. It is holding onto the main positions of power."
Control will remain Israeli, Americans will carry out reconstruction
Regarding American involvement and reconstruction plans, the expert warned, "The plan of Khaled Mashaal, Khalil al-Hayya, and Mousa Abu Marzouk is to essentially put the issue to sleep. The American plan is to demand that Israel allow development in the areas where it is stationed. The control will remain Israeli, but they will carry out the reconstruction work there.
"I do not see how reconstruction works while Israel is there, work is ongoing, and Hamas personnel are running around beneath their feet. In my opinion, the Americans do not understand what kind of trouble they are getting into by not conditioning the disarmament of Hamas before a single cent of development enters the Gaza Strip."