Ismail Haniyeh
Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas chief stated on Tuesday that he is open to a single Palestinian administration governing Gaza, and the occupied West Bank.
In a televised speech, the Hamas chief said, “We have received numerous initiatives concerning the internal (Palestinian) situation and we are open to the idea of a national government for the West Bank and Gaza”.
Hamas has ruled the Gaza Strip since winning Palestinian elections in 2006, which were followed by violent clashes with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah party.
Several attempts at reconciliation between the factions have failed, and Abbas’s popularity as Palestinian Authority’s head in the West Bank has plummeted.
During the nearly three months of war between Hamas and Israel, which has smashed the group, the question of Gaza’s future government has been discussed numerous times.
The US has emphasized that Palestinians must be included in any post-war administration, although the future role of the internationally acknowledged Palestinian Authority is unknown.
Haniyeh’s speech, which was televised also addressed discussions about a possible second pause to the fighting.
A previous truce allowed Gaza militants to release roughly half of the 250 hostages kidnapped from Israel on October 7.
“The enemy’s prisoners will only be released on terms set by the resistance”, Haniyeh stated flatly.
In Gaza, 129 captives are still hostage.
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