A few hours after the first meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Washington on Tuesday morning, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip and landed in a field in southern Israel.
Although the explosion caused no casualties or damage, it signals a greater danger on the horizon.
The past eight months have been one of the calmest periods around Gaza in over a decade. But that may be about to change now as Hamas is currently is facing a major crisis.
The coup against President Morsi has not only deprived the movement of its Muslim Brotherhood ally in Cairo, but also unleashed a major anti-Hamas offensive by Egypt’s military. Last year, Hamas broke with Iran and Hizbollah — but now finds itself isolated. In addition, the Hamas leadership is split, with hardliners saying it was a mistake to break away from the Iranian axis.
If peace talks intensify, Hamas will begin to feel increasingly marginalised and tempted to unleash more rockets.
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.