GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Flare-ups earlier this month between the Israeli army and Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip seemed likely to escalate into an expanded war were it not for the Egypt-brokered cease-fire in place. Instead, Hamas and Israel are close to reaching a genuine truce that could last for years, a high-ranking Hamas source told Al-Monitor.
A real truce, however, will require the PLO's blessing and the participation of various factions besides Hamas.