Hamas to disarm under two-state solution: Senior official to AP
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In an interview with AP, senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya emphasizes the movement's unwavering stance for a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
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Hamas official, Khalil al-Hayya in an interview with AP in Istanbul, Turkey on April 24, 2024. (AP)
In an interview with The Associated Press (AP) on Thursday, a senior Hamas political official, Khalil al-Hayya, revealed that the Palestinian Resistance movement is open to a ceasefire with "Israel" for a minimum of five years. Additionally, he stated that if an independent Palestinian state is established along the pre-1967 borders, Hamas would disarm and turn into a political party.
According to AP, it’s unlikely "Israel" would consider such a scenario, given that it's determined to eliminate the Hamas movement and its government is opposed to a Palestinian state on any part of the occupied land.
'United government for Gaza, West Bank'
Al-Hayya, speaking to the AP in Istanbul, expressed Hamas's desire to join the Palestine Liberation Organization, led by the Fatah movement, to establish a unified government for Gaza and the West Bank.
He added that Hamas would accept “a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions,” along Palestine's pre-1967 borders.
The official said that if that happens, the movement’s military wing would dissolve.
'Israeli Rafah offensive'
For a while, "Israel" has been preparing for an invasion into the southern city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge.
Al-Hayya told AP that such an attack would not succeed in eliminating Hamas. He added that communication between the political leadership outside, and the military leadership inside Gaza remains uninterrupted during the war. He emphasized that decisions and directives are made through consultation between the two groups.
He added that the Israeli occupation forces “have not destroyed more than 20% of (Hamas’) capabilities, neither human nor in the field,” adding that “If they can’t finish (Hamas) off, what is the solution? The solution is to go to consensus.”
'Hamas will not back down from its demands'
In the interview, al-Hayya denied the Israeli accusation that the Movement is not serious about a prisoner-captive exchange, saying "Hamas has made concessions regarding the number of Palestinian prisoners it wants released in exchange for the remaining Israeli hostages", stressing that the group does not know exactly how many hostages remain in Gaza and are still alive.
Al-Hayya emphasized that Hamas would not back down from its demands for a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli troops, according to AP.
During the interview, he warned that the Hamas movement would target Israeli or other forces that might be present around a floating pier being constructed by the US along Gaza's coastline, under the pretext of delivering aid by sea.
“We categorically reject any non-Palestinian presence in Gaza, whether at sea or on land, and we will deal with any military force present in these places, Israeli or otherwise … as an occupying power,” he said.
'Hamas does not regret Operation Al-Aqsa Flood'
Al-Hayya affirmed that Hamas doesn't regret carrying out Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. According to AP, he refuted claims that Hamas fighters targeted civilians during the assaults and asserted that the operation effectively reignited global attention to the Palestinian cause.
He emphasized that all Israeli attempts to eliminate Hamas would ultimately fail to prevent future Palestinian armed uprisings, adding, “Let’s say that they have destroyed Hamas. Are the Palestinian people gone?” he asked.
