Hamas Official States Palestinian People Left Alone Against Genocide; Occupation Must End
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Ghazi Hamad, a senior member of Hamas‘s political bureau, has asserted that the Palestinian people have been left alone to confront genocide, and that the occupation must come to an end. In an exclusive interview conducted on the sidelines of a press conference in Istanbul, Hamad detailed the ongoing challenges in Gaza and the perceived failures of international mediation.
Hamad explained that the ceasefire intended to halt the conflict has seen continued attacks and casualties in Gaza, leading many Palestinians to feel a significant disconnect between paper agreements and the reality on the ground. He questioned whether the current situation constitutes a violation of the ceasefire or a fundamental disagreement among negotiating parties regarding its definition and enforcement. He also raised concerns about Hamas’s leverage if Israel continues its actions without perceived consequences.
The Hamas official described the prevailing conditions as extremely difficult, dominated by Israeli and American policies that impose a harsh and overwhelming environment. He acknowledged that the choices available to Hamas have been arduous, possibly representing the “worst of bad options.” The primary objective, he stated, was to stop the genocidal war in Gaza, and while expectations were not overly optimistic, they managed to somewhat mitigate the intensity of the conflict. Nevertheless, he underscored that genocide, starvation, and humanitarian catastrophe remain at their peak in the Gaza Strip.
Hamad emphasized the extensive struggle and immense sacrifices made by Hamas over the years, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. He expressed disappointment that an Arab and Islamic initiative to aid the Palestinian people and prevent genocide did not materialize, leaving the nation to face the onslaught alone. He affirmed Hamas’s commitment to the current agreement brokered by Arab and American mediators, but warned that the Israeli regime’s policies are pushing the agreement towards collapse, thereby endangering regional stability.
The discussion regarding Gaza’s future has expanded beyond halting the war to encompass Hamas’s disarmament, transitional administration, reconstruction, and the role of the Palestinian Authority. When asked about Hamas’s stance if presented with a choice between a permanent end to the war and relinquishing its military capabilities, Hamad reiterated Hamas’s full commitment to its national project and the sovereignty of the Gaza Strip. He stated that significant concessions were made solely to protect the safety and well-being of the people in Gaza.
Hamad clarified that Hamas agreed to the administration of Gaza and adopted a specific approach to the issue of weapons, but only as a temporary measure for the greater goal of stopping the ongoing genocide. He stressed that this is an exceptional phase, not a permanent situation, imposed under duress, but affirmed that their compass will always point towards their rights. Hamas, he concluded, will strive with all its might to end the occupation and will not abandon its national project under any circumstances.
