‘ Hudna , schmudna ’? the concept of ‘truce’ in Hamas’s discourse as political pragmatism

The Palestinian–Israeli question is one of the most enduring conflicts in the world, with the war in the Gaza Strip, which was launched by Israel in response to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, as merely the latest round. In past decades, research on Hamas has shown that this organisation – its attacks against Israeli civilians notwithstanding – is flexible and pragmatic in its policies, including with regard to Israel. One concept often employed by Hamas towards Israel is ‘truce’. Relying on Hamas’s own sources in Arabic, this article analyses what demands Hamas has made in its strategic and tactical truces with Israel and shows how this exemplifies its pragmatism, expressed in a flexible and interest-based attitude. As such, this article refines our understanding of militant Islamist pragmatism and argues that, rather than ruses intended to lull Israel into a false sense of security, Hamas’s truces show it can be negotiated with.