Given the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza strip, Israel has just a little time of space by the leading international powers. This fact can be inferred from the latest international relevant statements, and from the activation of the diplomatic regional and international efforts to achieve a ceasefire along with a settlement of Gaza question. Recently in this context, Egypt has proposed a way for settlement concerning Gaza question and current Gaza situation. Egypt’s initiative has been backed by France and many international and regional powers, especially Arab countries, through international welcoming including the United States.

Israel has welcomed the Egyptian initiative in principle, and expressed its openness to the Egyptian proposals. In fact, Israel somehow stalled over this initiative for gaining some time. In this regard, I think that Israel stalled waiting for Hamas’ response to this initiative, which was thought by Israel to be negative, as I think.

Hamas’ response to this initiative has been actually negative by rejecting this initiative. This position of Hamas came from Damascus along with a same position by all Palestinian groups based in Damascus, which all international and regional parties realize that they are under the influence of the Syrian Baath regime. This may be the first serious appearance of the Syrian regime in this question apart from this regime’s role in the Iranian regional campaign and attack on Egypt at the beginning of Gaza operation.

This stand was widely expected and then was never surprising except for France. The latest, unfortunately, has a president adopts a policy on Syria has always been out of context and reality, and has never been understandable or productive. In fact, the French president’s latest non-understandable visit to Damascus shows exactly this reality despite the frequent humiliation he has been subjected to by the Baath regime, especially on the Lebanese question. However, as the French president keeps repeating himself as regards his strange relation with this regime, he keeps expose himself and his country to the same humiliation. This time it is just hours after his visit to Damascus and pleading there when the rejection of the French-backed initiative came from Damascus itself.

Moreover, what gives the above situation its serious dimension is the fact that the expected rejection of the settlement and ceasefire plan coming from Damascus has took place simultaneously with firing rockets from southern Lebanon at northern Israel. This firing was allegedly by a Palestinian group based in Damascus whose affiliation with the Syrian Baath regime is well known, according to the Israeli investigation based on the type of the launched rockets not owned by Hezbullah.

Might this dual message is the Syrian Baath regime’s initial contribution towards the current situation in Gaza and beyond Gaza?