Amid ongoing efforts by international and regional mediators to push Israel and Hamas to accept the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza, some voices within Israel continue to express concerns about Hamas’s persistence. However, Hamas has firmly stated it will not leave Gaza.
Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, declared on Sunday night, “They will not remove us from the Palestinian political equation.” He added during an interview on MBC Egypt’s program “The Story” that “Hamas will not leave Gaza; it is the occupation that will leave.”
Hamad noted that the proposal presented by U.S. President Joe Biden last Friday largely incorporates the demands initially put forward by Hamas.
Although the American administration previously indicated that the new plan was proposed by Israel, Hamad emphasized that it includes a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal in the second phase from Gaza, and the unconditional return of displaced persons.
Regarding the formation of a national unity government, Hamad identified President Mahmoud Abbas as the main obstacle.
He stated that the Palestinian Authority (PA) cannot return to Gaza “on the back of a tank,” urging the PA to resign as there can be no authority under occupation.
He reiterated that Hamas is not clinging to power in Gaza and seeks a national consensus government.
Hamad accused Abbas of failing to engage positively with the idea, despite Hamas presenting it in various forms.
He also clarified that there is no Egyptian or Qatari pressure on Hamas, but rather efforts to find solutions during negotiations.
In response to a CNN report suggesting Egyptian manipulation in the negotiation process, Hamad denied the allegations, calling them outright lies.
Meanwhile, Ofir Falk, the political advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the plan as imperfect and requiring clarification on certain points. However, he affirmed that it could lead to the release of all Israeli prisoners held in Gaza since October 7.
