Hamas officials are indicating a possible willingness to give up armed struggle against Israel in exchange for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in territories captured by Israel in the 1967 war. This development comes amidst Israel's intense military actions in the Gaza Strip, which Hamas previously governed.
Basem Naim, a member of Hamas' political bureau based in Istanbul, stated that the group would consider disarming if a Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem, and the right of return for refugees, was realized. This marks a departure from Hamas' historical rejection of a two-state solution in favor of a Palestinian state encompassing all of historic Palestine.
Mustafa Barghouti, President of the Palestinian National Initiative, acknowledged the significance of Hamas potentially laying down its arms, emphasizing that Palestinian resistance is a response to occupation. However, Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, dismissed Hamas' offer as a public relations tactic aimed at garnering Western support.
Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya further expressed Hamas' willingness to accept a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, along with the return of Palestinian refugees. This aligns with the international community's view that these territories are occupied and where Palestinians aspire to establish their state.
While Hamas has not issued an official statement outlining these concessions, there are indications of a potential shift in its position towards Israel. The group's willingness to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for a unified government in Gaza and the West Bank also signals a possible strategic realignment.
Despite Israel's efforts to eliminate Hamas militarily, the group's leadership remains intact, though its military capabilities have been significantly weakened. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, citing security concerns.
As discussions around Hamas' potential shift continue, the region remains tense with uncertainties about the future trajectory of Israeli-Palestinian relations.
