Hamas' rejection of a proposal by Egypt to declare a cease-fire with Israel signifies the beginning "of the real negotiating process," former CIA official and current
LIGNET analyst Lisa Ruth tells
Newsmax TV.
"Hamas wants better terms and what they really want is the border open," Ruth told "America's Forum" hosts J.D. Hayworth and John Bachman.
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"The border that Egypt and Israel are controlling, [and] Hamas also wants these prisoners released, which is unlikely Israel is going to concede one. However, the border is a big issue. Shutting down the border is deathly to Hamas; it's cut off their economy, and that's what they're really holding out for at this point," Ruth said.
Israel is weighing all its options, including deploying ground troops and cutting off power to Gaza, which Israel controls, in addition to rocket strikes and air strikes.
"It's going to become extremely difficult in Gaza," Ruth predicted.
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