Hamas Ready to Recognize Israel and Lay Down Weapons

Member of the Political Military Bureau of Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya, conveyed this in Istanbul, Turkey, on Wednesday (24/4/2024). The results of the interview were broadcasted by Associated Press on Thursday afternoon.

"The experience of all those who fought against the colonizers when they gained independence and their rights and country, what did these forces do? They became political parties and the combat forces they defended became national armies," said a member of the Hamas negotiation team.

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Hamas is ready to disband its military wing if Palestine becomes independent and has full sovereignty in the West Bank and Gaza. The areas of Gaza and the West Bank were determined based on the 1967 borders. The areas that Hamas received as independent Palestine were not shares resulting from the Oslo Accords.

Dissolution will also be carried out if all Palestinian refugees since 1948 are allowed to return. This demand is considered in line with United Nations resolutions and other international consensus.

Indeed, Al Hayya did not explain whether Hamas would stop trying to destroy Israel. What is clear is that his statement is very historic.

Until now, Hamas has refused to acknowledge the existence of Israel in any way. By accepting the 1967 border, Al Hayya indirectly acknowledges the existence of Israel. This is because, even though its territory was different at that time, Israel already existed in 1967.

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Al Hayya's request is actually in line with the Two State Solution which is recognized by various countries. Indonesia and various countries are pushing for a two-state solution as a way to resolve the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. The solution must be based on areas in 1967, not before or after.

Indonesia and various other countries' definition of a free Palestine is not based on the Oslo Agreement. This is because the agreement gave Palestine less territory and even gave Israel more control over the West Bank.

The problem is, Israel currently refuses to recognize the independence of Palestine in any way. On various occasions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will do his utmost to prevent the formation of a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu and many Israelis also reject the idea of ​​Palestinian refugees after the 1948 war returning to their native villages. Because, now many of the homes and land of the refugees are being looted by immigrants who have become Israeli citizens.

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Even Netanyahu and his supporters stated that Israel would reoccupy Gaza after the current war ends. The United States and various countries reject the desire for the reoccupation.

On the other hand, his attitude has changed back and forth regarding Palestinian independence. During Donald Trump's time, the US practically supported Netanyahu's stance.

During the Joe Biden era, the US argued that the independence of Palestine must be negotiated with Israel. This was the reason the US used when rejecting Palestine as a full member of the UN. Currently, Palestine holds observer status in the UN.

Unity government

According to Al Hayya, Hamas is not only ready to lay down their weapons. Hamas is also ready to form a unified Palestinian government with Fatah. For years, Hamas and Fatah have been competing with each other. Different factions of Palestine are also competing against each other.

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Al Hayya said that Hamas is ready to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). For decades, Fatah has been the main controlling group of the PLO.

For a long time, competition between factions in Palestine has been one of the obstacles to resolving the Palestinian conflict. So far, only Fatah has been willing to accept the Two-State Solution. Now, through Al Hayya's statement, Hamas indirectly also accepts the solution.

Regarding the issue of unified governance, Al Hayya is not the first Hamas official to address it. In hostage exchange negotiations, Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza, among others, requested the release of Marwan Barghouti. However, Barghouti is a Fatah military commander. This is not the first time Hamas has requested Barghouti's release since 2011.

Until now, Israel has refused to release Barghouti and a number of senior Palestinian figures. Prisoner exchange negotiations continue between Hamas and Israel with the mediation of Qatar, Egypt, and the US.

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He denied the accusation that Hamas is not serious about seeking a solution to the war that erupted again since October 2023. Regarding the issue of hostage release, according to Al Hayya, the problem is that Hamas does not know how many are still alive in Gaza. Regarding this matter, Hamas has already explained it to mediators or Israel.

Another issue is that Israel refuses to negotiate the release of hostages with a total withdrawal of troops from Gaza. "If we can't be guaranteed that the war will end, why should we release prisoners?" he said.

He asserted that Hamas rejects all forms of occupation and foreign forces in Gaza. Israeli or other foreign troops in Gaza will be attacked by Hamas.

He said that Israel's attack would not be able to destroy Hamas. "Israel only destroyed less than 20 percent of Hamas's human resources and capabilities in the field. If they cannot eliminate Hamas, what is the solution? The solution is to reach a consensus," said the Hamas negotiating team member in recent months.

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Efforts by Israel to eliminate Hamas will not put an end to Palestine's armed struggle in the future. "Even if they destroy Hamas, will the Palestinian people disappear?" he said.

He also warned that Israeli military personnel or any other country near the floating dock made by the United States will be attacked by Hamas. "We reject the presence of non-Palestinian forces in the Gaza Strip, whether at sea or on land. We will fight militarily, whether it is Israel or any other country because they have become occupying forces," said Al Hayya. (AP/REUTERS)