Word Games in the Gaza Strip: The Dangerous Gap Between Western Translation and Arabic Reality Regarding Hamas
Last night it was reported that Hamas agreed to disarm and relinquish its rule under the Trump framework, but an analysis of the original Arabic language reveals a gap: Hamas avoids the word 'disarmament' and uses terms like 'freezing' or 'storage' of weapons, while maintaining its connection to them. The organization is willing to move the ministerial level but demands to keep the officials and police it appointed, with the international fund financing them. The mediators are divided: Egypt wants real disarmament, Qatar prefers a flexible framework. The author, Lt. Col. (res.) Amit Yagor, calls on Israel to insist on the term 'naza', conduct a deep screening of the bureaucracy, and prepare for the exile of weapons holders.
Last night (Friday) it was reported that Hamas agreed to disarm and relinquish its rule under the 20-point framework of the Trump administration, alongside the Israeli government's principled approval of the entry of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) into the Strip. However, a look at the original Arabic language reveals a gap between Western expectations and reality. Hamas avoids the word 'naza al-salah' (disarmament) and sees it as a red line, using instead the terms 'tajmid' (freezing) or 'takhzin' (storage). The organization views the weapons as 'legitimate national weapons' and at most offers to transfer formal responsibility for the weapons to a Palestinian mechanism, while maintaining connection and access. Regarding governance, Hamas is willing to move the ministerial level but demands to keep the officials and police it has appointed since 2007, with the international fund financing their salaries. The mediators are divided: Egypt wants real disarmament, while Qatar prefers a flexible framework in which Hamas retains its power. The article calls on Israel to insist on the term 'naza', conduct a deep screening of the bureaucracy, avoid celebratory declarations, and implement a model of exile or separation for weapons holders, similar to the Arafat model in Beirut (1982). The author is Lt. Col. (res.) Amit Yagor, formerly deputy head of the Palestinian arena in the IDF Planning Directorate.