Qatari Journalist Evokes 1,400-Year-Old ‘Tactical Truce’ Amid Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

In the wake of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Algerian-Qatari journalist Hafid Derradji has shared posts on X that reference early Islamic history, selling the deal not as a path to lasting peace, but as a temporary step toward greater conflict and victory for Palestinian forces.

Derradji, a commentator for Qatar's beIN Sports with millions of followers, posted in early October about the Battle of Uhud (625 CE), where Muslims suffered a setback with the death of Hamza, the Prophet Muhammad's uncle.

He noted how the opposing Quraysh tribe celebrated prematurely, only for Muslims to later sign the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in 628 CE, a 10-year truce that allowed them to regroup and ultimately conquer Mecca in 630 CE after the Quraysh broke the terms

By drawing this parallel, Derradji says that recent losses for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah might seem like defeats now, but could precede a turnaround. The Hudaybiyyah reference often symbolizes a "tactical truce" in Islamic narratives, where a pause enables strengthening for future advances, including conquest.

In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this has been read by critics as implying the ceasefire could be used to rebuild capabilities for renewed confrontation, potentially aiming at strategic gains like control over disputed sites in Jerusalem.

"But even Quraysh rejoiced... and they thought that the Muslims' strength had weakened, but after that came the conquest of Mecca by the grace of God."

A separate pre-ceasefire post from October 1 sarcastically accused Israel of hypocrisy in demanding surrender while planning violence, flipping the narrative to portray Israel as untrustworthy. Israeli officials and supporters view such interpretations as inflammatory, arguing the deal reflects Hamas's weakened state after sustained military operations and includes safeguards like disarmament and external governance to foster genuine stability and prevent escalation.

So, while the world is celebrating peace, the return of Israeli hostages and an end to suffering for Israelis and Gazans after a brutal and devastating war, this journalist is crowing about the Muslims who are lurking in the shadows and plotting how to kill more Jews.