Hamas has once again spat in the face of the Gaza Peace Board. As the U.S.-led disarmament deadline expires this weekend, its armed wing—hiding behind an impersonation of the eliminated spokesman Abu Obeida—vows not to surrender a single rocket or tunnel map.

This past Thursday’s meeting between the Board High Representative Nickolay Mladenov and Hamas officials was a total disaster. Hamas is making a cold geostrategic bet rooted in the clearest lesson Tehran’s proxies have learned from Washington: the United States talks tough, sets deadlines, and folds.

Recent events confirm the pattern. Just days ago, the United States and Iran agreed to a fragile ceasefire after weeks of exchanges following the assassination of a senior Iranian figure. Sold as a way to prevent wider war, the pause let Iran claim coverage across multiple fronts. Washington accepted short-term de-escalation. Israel dismissed the broader interpretation and escalated decisively, unleashing over 100 strikes on Hezbollah targets in a single wave—driving Lebanon toward peace negotiations with the Jewish........

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