As the Gaza ceasefire faces mounting challenges, Europe has a critical role in sustaining the truce and fostering conditions for gradual political moderation within Hamas understood here as a greater openness to power-sharing, governance reform, and non-violence. The movement’s cautious engagement with diplomacy, its pragmatic acceptance of ceasefire agreements, and its attempts to restore civil services suggest limited but tangible potential for political evolution.
Progress, however, hinges on coordinated security arrangements, the establishment of a Palestinian-led administrative committee, and meaningful internal dialogue between Palestinian factions. By supporting inclusive governance, facilitating the integration of civil servants, and ensuring accountability, European states working with Arab partners can help stabilize Gaza, strengthen representative Palestinian institutions, and encourage sustained pragmatism within Hamas. For policymakers in Berlin and Brussels, this represents a timely opportunity to shape conditions for a more stable, inclusive, and ultimately self-governing Palestinian administration.
To learn more about the details, read the full commentary on ECFR’s official website.