Hamas Leader Warns Against Exploiting Palestinian Blood for Israeli Elections

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Khaled Meshaal, head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, stated in an interview with Al-Araby TV that Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, is being prevented from attending the United Nations, while Netanyahu should have been barred from this opportunity. Meshaal announced that he had met with the American side more than four times and presented the demands of the Palestinian people during these meetings. He added that during discussions with the Americans, he spoke about the behavior of the Zionist regime and its failure to implement agreements. The head of Hamas’s political bureau stated that during his meetings with the American side, he witnessed a degree of understanding of the Palestinian positions, and the Americans considered these meetings positive. Meshaal added that the movement has heard statements indicating understanding and praise from the American side, both in public sessions and private conversations, but Hamas is calling for “real and practical actions.” The head of Hamas’s political bureau stated that the region is in a very tense situation and, in his belief, Palestinians are the gateway to regional stability. He also stated that the Zionist regime is seeking to displace the Palestinian people, but the Palestinians will confront the plans for forced displacement. Meshaal added that Hamas will continue its defense and resistance against the Zionist regime with all its legitimate means and tools. Regarding the Al-Aqsa Flood (October 7), he said this operation was carried out in response to the Zionist regime’s actions and its attempt to erase and destroy the Palestinian cause, and after that, according to him, the “criminal” nature of this regime was revealed in its most severe form. The head of the Hamas movement emphasized that after the Al-Aqsa Flood, the world has shown its opposition to the Zionist regime, and solidarity with the Palestinian people has increased. He said that the formation of a new reality regarding the Palestinian cause can be spoken of. Regarding negotiations, Meshaal stated that throughout the three years he has led the Palestinian negotiating team, the interests of the Palestinian people have been the main focus of their positions. He said that it was the Zionist regime that squandered opportunities to reach an agreement and was responsible for the deaths of Israeli captives. The head of Hamas’s political bureau said that the movement has agreed to the roadmap presented by Nikolay Mladenov, head of the so-called Gaza Peace Council, and mediators and is ready to implement it. According to him, this roadmap begins with completing the first phase of the Gaza agreement and will ultimately lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Meshaal added that Mladenov is striving to advance the process, but Israel needs international pressure to implement the agreement. He said Mladenov represents the Peace Council, and Hamas sometimes criticizes his positions but understands his stance and expects him to play his full role. The head of Hamas’s political bureau also emphasized that Hamas’s top priority is to stop the aggressions against the Palestinian people, followed by achieving national unity. Meshaal said Arab and Islamic countries are ready to assist Gaza, but the Zionist regime is obstructing this process. He added that the current international system structure is incapable of obligating Israel to implement international will. Regarding the internal situation in Palestine, Meshaal said national consensus is the gateway to rebuilding Palestinian institutions, including the Palestine Liberation Organization. He added that Hamas is ready to sit with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, and formulate the foundations of a national program and genuine unity. The head of Hamas expressed hope that elections would be an opportunity for geographic and political unity between Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, and that Hamas agrees to enter parliamentary elections with the aim of achieving true national unity. Meshaal added that if Palestinian elections are postponed, this delay should be an opportunity to organize the internal situation in Palestine, and the existing coalition will remain in place and open to the participation of all groups in creating a national situation. He also said Hamas has proposed mediation between the parties in conflict in Yemen and expressed hope that this proposal will be accepted. The head of Hamas’s political bureau stated regarding the movement’s foreign relations that their political relations are balanced, and they are working to develop and expand them in line with the interests of the Palestinian cause. Meshaal concluded by warning that “Hamas will not accept the blood of Palestinians becoming fuel for Israeli elections,” and emphasized that the movement’s goal is to move to the second phase and obligate the Zionist regime to implement the roadmap to which Hamas has agreed.