The head of Hamas’s political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, has said the militant group is open to negotiations to end the war with Israel, but stressed that any final agreement should lead to an independent Palestinian state.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Haniyeh said Hamas is prepared for dialogue with Israel, hoping that future talks can lead to a solution. “Palestinian house in order, both in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.”
“We are open to any arrangement or initiative that can put an end to the aggression” and lead to one “political path that secures the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
However, the official warned that any attempt to exclude Hamas and other armed groups from a post-war settlement would be a disaster. “delusion,” saying the “resistance factions” must be involved in the process.
Haniyeh’s comments came just one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested a Palestinian state was out of the question and vowed never to form another Palestinian state. “Repeat Oslo’s mistake,” a 1993 peace agreement that created a roadmap for a sovereign Palestinian nation.
While Israel previously accepted the idea in principle, the process established by the Oslo Accords long ago collapsed, virtually freezing the decades-long conflict. More than three decades later, Israeli forces continue to occupy the West Bank, where Jewish settlements have grown rapidly in recent years, while the government maintains a tight blockade over the Gaza Strip.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu declared that Israel would continue its military operation in Gaza ‘Until Hamas is destroyed’ adding that even despite international pressure “Nothing will stop us.”
While an earlier vote calling for a ceasefire in the United Nations Security Council failed due to a US veto, despite strong support from other members, the UN General Assembly later overwhelmingly approved a similar measure Good. The non-binding resolution demanded an immediate end to the fighting, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The United States, which remains Israel’s top military donor, briefly expressed support “pauses” to the fighting, but continues to oppose a longer ceasefire, arguing that it would only help Hamas. However, President Joe Biden has become increasingly critical of Israel’s approach to the war, recently warning that the country could lose international support if it continues its policies. “random” bombing campaign.
Israel began its assault on Gaza after a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, which killed about 1,200 Israelis and took more than 240 people hostage. In retaliation, the Israeli army has bombarded the Palestinian enclave with heavy airstrikes and launched a major ground invasion, killing more than 18,600 people so far, according to local officials.
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