Dissolving Hamas' military, forming sovereign Palestinian state would bring 'change' - expert

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: NATHAN KLABIN/THE MEDIA LINE
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

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Al-Hayya indicated this would only be a temporary stance until Palestinians retain their "historic right to all Palestinian lands." The Palestinian politician suggested Hamas' willingness to join the Palestine Liberation Organization and form a unified government for Gaza and the West Bank and the dissolution of its military wing. Despite the devastation caused by recent hostilities, Al-Hayya dismissed Israeli attempts to eradicate Hamas but spoke about a possible truce soon.

Dr. Ghassan Khatib, a lecturer at Birzeit's University and former minister of labor for the Palestinian Authority, provided his perspective to The Media Line. "It's worth waiting to see if this statement reflects a significant shift," he noted, highlighting a common inconsistency between individual remarks by Hamas leaders and the group's official stance.

Dr. Khatib further explained the internal dynamics within Hamas: "The statement can also reflect dissent and the debate within Hamas. Different leaders have different views, but it could also be a tactic, considering the imminent threat of the Israeli army to enter Rafah."

He added that while the promise to dissolve the military wing and pursue a sovereign state was notable, "Hamas being willing to put its guns down isn't something you hear every day. Dissolving the military wing of Hamas and falling in line with a Sovereign Palestinian State on the 1967 borders would bring a powerful change."

"Whatever the reasons they make this statement now, it's important to dialogue with Hamas because they are a very relevant part of Palestinian internal politics. Whether the Israelis like it or not, that's the fact. Even if the statement made by Al-Hayya has conditions unlikely to be accepted by Israel, it is important to continue the dialogue, and this is also true for America and other...