Since the right of return is always pushed onto the final status agreements, ie. resolving it is never a precondition of peaceful negotiations, I believe recognizing the Jewish identity of the Israeli state should also be pushed to the final status agreements and coupled with the issue of the right of return.

Having said that, Hamas could find a compromise in recognizing the Israeli people’s right to self government in the form of a state, while at the same time asking the other side to equally guarantee that this recognition will not be considered by any means necessary a recognition of the Jewish identity and/or that it cannot be used in the future to bind the Palestinian side to compromising the right of return of Palestinian refugees into Israel. At the same time, Hamas could renounce violence while reserving the right of self defense against illegal occupation.

Yes you can have a truce without recognizing Israel as a state, it doesn’t mean Israel does not exist but rather that we do not agree to the grounds on which it’s existence is based. Why and how to recognize Israel if it does not recognize Hamas to start with?? why do we have to make the first step always even though we know that no further steps will be taken on their behalf?

A truce will stop the bloodshed (supposedly) and will give Israel another chance to recognize Hamas as democratically elected government and start the so called peace negotiations with them.