In an attempt to refurbish its tarnished image, particularly exacerbated by the heinous massacre on October 7, Hamas seeks to portray itself as a supporter of a two-state solution rather than the annihilation of Israel, as outlined in the Hamas charter.
Hamas is once again resorting to past tactics of misleading the international community.
Its leaders are making statements aligning with those of Palestinian Authority officials, expressing support for an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and indicating a desire to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
At the onset of the conflict, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh expressed readiness to discuss a two-state solution.
Subsequently, senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk, in an interview with the “Monitor” website, hinted at Hamas’ willingness to adhere to the Oslo Accords and recognize Israel, suggesting an aspiration to join the PLO.
However, Marzouk later clarified via Twitter that Hamas would not recognize the legitimacy of Israeli occupation, reaffirming the movement’s commitment to resistance until liberation and return.
On April 25, Khalil Al-Chaya, deputy to Yahya Sinwar, another senior Hamas official, stated in an interview with the AP news agency from Istanbul that Hamas seeks to join the PLO to establish a unified government for the West Bank and Gaza.
He outlined Hamas’ readiness to accept a Palestinian state with full sovereignty based on the 1967 borders, the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with international decisions, and the disarmament of Hamas if such a state is established.
Moreover, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated that Hamas had affirmed its agreement to a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and its willingness to abandon armed struggle once established.
Hamas has also resumed reconciliation talks with the Fatah movement under the auspices of China, perpetuating the facade of seeking a peaceful resolution and purportedly settling for a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.
This deceptive campaign by Hamas is aimed at preserving its rule in the Gaza Strip and garnering international legitimacy.
Hence, it employs the strategy of endorsing a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, joining the PLO, and forming a Palestinian unity government.
Despite the significant losses and devastation in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of hostilities, Hamas remains focused solely on retaining power.
However, it cannot erase the incendiary rhetoric of its senior leaders, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7 attack and subsequent massacre in the Israeli settlements near Gaza.
The inflammatory statements by Hamas leaders, such as Muhammad Def’s declaration of a “great campaign to erase the last occupation,” followed by Ismail Haniyeh’s assertion of launching an operation to “eliminate the occupation,” along with promises of further violence, reflect the true nature of the organization’s ideology.
While these extremist statements have faded in the wake of ongoing conflict, Hamas’ ideology remains unchanged.
It seeks to mislead the international community while underestimating the Palestinian people’s understanding of its true intentions, amidst a catastrophe described by some as worse than the Nakba of 1948.
Meanwhile, Hamas leaders luxuriate in Qatar and Turkey, engaging in lucrative business deals worth billions of dollars.
Israel must expose Hamas’ deceitful campaign for what it is: an extremist, anti-Semitic terrorist movement aligned with the global Muslim Brotherhood, supported by Iran, and dedicated to Israel’s destruction.
Hamas’ actions, including the atrocious massacre on October 7 within Israeli territory, underscore its commitment to violence and rejection of peaceful coexistence.
Israel is justified in its efforts to combat this terrorist organization and must continue to do so relentlessly.
