Will Gaza Get a Ceasefire, or Will Hamas Hold On to Its Terrorist Capabilities?

Hamas had already announced earlier that it was ready for a ceasefire in the Gaza war. According to the Islamic Jihad organization, it would be prepared to release ten Israeli hostages alive, as well as the bodies of deceased individuals.

Israel took longer to respond to the ceasefire proposal. According to today’s report, it too is ready for a ceasefire in Gaza, but only on the condition that Hamas releases all the remaining 49 hostages.

In other words, Israel shifted the decision on the ceasefire back to Hamas, which in turn must consider its own position regarding the demand of the Jewish state. The central question is whether the terrorist organization will agree to relinquish its only effective means of pressure against Israel in order to initiate the peace process in Gaza.

For Hamas and the residents of Gaza, the situation is extremely difficult, as the latter are suffering disproportionately from the terrorists’ determination to preserve their armed forces—which, though militarily insignificant, are sufficient for the purposes of terrorism—in this situation. Hamas’s leadership is also under pressure from Israel, which more than a week ago declared that it was preparing for a new ground offensive aimed at destroying the remainder of Hamas’s underground facilities.

For these reasons, I greatly fear that the residents of Gaza will still not be able to enjoy peace, as Hamas’s leadership will once again put its own survival ahead of an ordinary, livable life for the people. But since nothing has yet been decided, we can still hope that reason will prevail, that peace will finally come to Gaza, and that Hamas will either be dismantled or at least lose its significance as a major player in the Middle East.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finland Denies Blanket Asylum for Gazans, Confirms Tighter Immigration Policies
New Framework for Post-Hamas Gaza
Hamas at a Crossroads: Are Weapons More Important Than Gaza Belonging to the Palestinians?

Is President Putin on his way to repeat the destiny of Czar Nicholas II?

Finland will submit its application to join NATO within next few weeks as promised by the Prime Minister Sanna Marin. This process has also been noted by Russians. 

As a result, Putin´s propaganda office has conducted several actions. They include reminding Finland about their view that joining NATO would not bring stability into the northern Europe, poorly made fake videos about Russian troops on their march towards Helsinki, and as the very latest (today) by threatening Finland (and Sweden) that Russians will strengthen their troops by the borders of Finland - including hints of nuclear weapon placements.

It is clear - however - that Russia in its current position is not able to direct serious military pressure on Finland. Instead, it is almost humorous, how the "master strategist" Vladimir Putin in his stupidity escalated an almost frozen war in Ukraine, and as a consequence started a process in which its North-West neighbors - thus far neutral countries - are going to join NATO. 

And at the same time, the weakness of Russian army in Ukraine prevents Putin from seriously interfering this development. To be honest, I would like to know what he has in his mind: would it be something that we say in Finnish: "vituttaa kuin pientä eläintä" which translates to something like "annoying like a small animal" - although the Finnish wording is not that correct due to the first word pointing towards female genitals.   

We also have another proverb that is suitable in this situation. That is "tyhmyydestä sakotetaan". That translates as "stupidity is fined". 

In this case the magnitude of Putin´s fine will be at least a loss of two neutral nations to the Western military organization - and most probably also a loss of war in Ukraine - and thereafter quite probably a loss of his position as a dictator-like president of the Russia. If so, he might even be repeating the destiny of Czar Nicholas II after the military adventure in Japan 1904-05, which was fulfilled by Russian communists in July 17th, 1918. That is, death via execution.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Obligatory military service gains support
Military specialist: Russian plan in Ukraine was incredibly poor
Finland and NATO - problems to be solved