The decision by Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip, to sit out Israel’s three-day pounding of Islamic Jihad this past weekend did not come as a surprise. Not to the Israeli military brass in Tel Aviv, not to the politicians and diplomats in Jerusalem, nor to officials in Cairo and Doha. Are Israel and Hamas approaching a “hudna” (Arabic for cease-fire)? Do these two sworn enemies intend to turn their unofficial relationship into a temporary or permanent arrangement? 

Al-Monitor put this question to a senior military source in the aftermath of Israel’s Aug. 5-7 operation — codenamed “Breaking Dawn" — against Islamic Jihad in Gaza. The answer was nothing short of amazing.

“We are already there. It is not official, but what is happening now between Israel and Hamas is a de facto ‘hudna.’ It is a system of big sticks and sweet carrots. Hamas is receiving what it never got from Israel before and delivering the goods to residents. They understand the price they are paying, but realize the alternative is worse,” said the source on condition of anonymity.

Asked whether this delicate framework that withstood Israel’s deadly bombing of Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza could also advance negotiations with Hamas on a return of two Israeli soldiers’ bodies and two Israeli civilians in Hamas custody, the source answered, “Presumably, but in the immediate term. We are planning more benefits for Hamas, contingent on the situation on the ground. And at some point, they will also project on that painful issue [of the hostages]."