Hamas has increased its incitement to violence and genocide of the Jewish state, despite calls by the international community for Israel to open a new dialogue with the group, according to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.

"Over the last few years there has been a steady drumbeat of calls from leading figures in the international community for Israel to open a dialogue with Hamas," writes Jonathan D. Halevi in a new paper. "Unfortunately, there is no evidence of a new pragmatism among the Hamas leadership, but only greater indications of a much harder line, which is expressed by its adoption of expressions of genocidal intent in its war against Israel and the Jewish people."

Recent statements by Hamas military leaders clash with the moderate line espoused by Hamas' English-language voice and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Yousef. "Gaza will always extend a hand of friendship to the international community; and will always welcome any dialogue that will help achieve stability, security and growth in the region," Yousef said in a Dec. 25 article on PalestineChronicle.com.

Halevi contrasts that with a statement issued by Hamas last month, marking the 23rd anniversary of its establishment with an official booklet entitled The Path of Glory (Darb al-ezza), which included statements from Hamas' military wing, al-Qassam Brigades. "The al-Qassam Brigades...are better prepared to continue on our exclusive path to which there is no alternative, and that is the path of jihad and the fight against the enemies of the Muslim nation and mankind...." Mohammed Def, head of Hamas' military wing, wrote. "We say to our enemies: you are going on the path to extinction (zawal), and Palestine will remain ours including Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem's central mosque), its towns and villages from the (Mediterranean) Sea to the (Jordan) River, from its North to its South. You have no right to even an inch of it."

"Our eyes will always remain focused toward Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa and (their gaze) will not be confined to the borders of Gaza. Our plan of struggle shall extend as always, sooner or later, to our entire plundered country," Ahmed al-Jaabari, the acting supreme commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, wrote. "The al-Qassam Brigades have never excluded and will not exclude from their considerations any possible option to activate resistance, liberate prisoners and subdue the criminal, thieving enemy, and as long as the Zionists occupy our lands, only death or exile await them."

For more, see Halevi's paper here.