Hamas will lay down its arms if a Palestinian state is established, a representative of the movement said

The Palestinian Hamas movement will lay down its arms and turn into a regular political party if a Palestinian state is established within the pre-1967 borders. This was said by the representative of this movement, Khalil Hajja, in an interview published today by the AP agency. However, in its political program, the Hamas movement rejects the so-called two-state solution and the very existence of Israel.

According to a representative of the movement, Hamas would accept a “fully sovereign Palestinian state” in the borders before the Six-Day War in 1967, that is, in the territory of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem. In that case, Hajja envisions Hamas forming a government with Fatah, disbanding its military wing and becoming a mainstream political party. According to him, a similar step was taken in the past by other armed liberation movements which, after achieving their goals, became political parties and their military wings were incorporated into the official army.

In its political program, however, the Hamas movement rejects “any alternative to the full liberation of Palestine”, which effectively means the demise of Israel. According to the AP agency, Hajja refused to say whether he considers the creation of a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders as a transitional state to achieve the goal of destroying Israel or as a permanent solution to the conflict in the area.

The Hamas movement has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. After his terrorist attack on Israeli territory on October 7, Israel began an offensive, the goal of which, according to Israeli officials, is the destruction of Hamas, or at least its military infrastructure. In addition to the civilian leadership, Hamas also has its armed wing.

In an interview with the AP agency, Hajja also rejected criticism from Israel or the United States that Hamas is not trying to reach an agreement on a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages. According to him, the movement made concessions, for example, regarding the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. However, he insists on his two basic conditions – a permanent cessation of fighting and the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from the Gaza Strip. “Why should I release a prisoner without guarantees that the war will end?” stated Hajja. According to him, Hamas currently does not know how many hostages are still alive.

The interview with the AP agency took place in Istanbul. According to the agency, most members of Hamas’ political leadership have moved from Qatar, which has faced criticism for hosting members of the Palestinian movement, to Turkey. However, Hajja denied that the political leadership of Hamas would permanently move to the country. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul on Saturday.