Seth J. Frantzman
Jerusalem Post, Jan. 19, 2025
“More specifically, a new trend of Islamic parties could be on the rise for the first time since the 1990s when these parties were also growing. This is not an ISIS-type extremism, but it is also not soft and fuzzy.”
The ceasefire in Gaza will have broad implications across the Middle East. How this will take shape will take time to process. This is because the ceasefire has phases, and it is not clear what may come next.
However, we know that those who oppose Israel will try to spin the ceasefire to their advantage. Hamas is portraying it as a victory. Pro-Iran groups will frame it as their victory as well. Qatar and Turkey, who back Hamas, will also regard it as a triumph on their part. For instance, Al-Akhbar media in Lebanon wrote that the deal was leading to Israeli concerns about Hamas returning to power.
Iran has said it will continue to support the Palestinian cause. The pro-Houthi Masirah Regarding news outlets that are more critical of Hamas or tend to be in the camp of Arab states that are not backing Hamas, there is likely concern that the truce could fan the flames of extremism in the region.
In other words, Hamas is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, and that could lead to many affiliated parties feeling that it is on the upswing. …SOURCE