Hamas Signals Willingness to Disarm in Exchange for Palestinian State

Some Hamas officials are indicating that the militant group may consider ending armed conflict with Israel if the Palestinians achieve statehood in the territories taken by Israel in the 1967 war.

This shift in messaging shows a potential change in Hamas' stance, especially as Israel continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip, which was under Hamas control. In the past, Hamas has called for the destruction of the Jewish state.

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas' political bureau based in Istanbul, shared with CNN that the group would be willing to disarm under certain conditions. He mentioned that if an independent Palestinian state was established, including Jerusalem as its capital and preserving the right of return for refugees, then Hamas' armed wing, Al Qassam, could become part of the national army.

Hamas has always opposed the idea of a two-state solution, preferring the establishment of a Palestinian state that includes all of historic Palestine, which currently includes Israel, the occupied West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

Mustafa Barghouti, the President of the Palestinian National Initiative, mentioned that he was not previously aware of Hamas considering laying down its arms, but he acknowledged that it would be a notable development if it were true.

He explained to CNN the importance of Palestinian resistance against occupation, highlighting that resistance is only necessary because the occupation exists. He specifically mentioned Israel's military control over territories seized in 1967, where millions of Palestinians reside.

The offer was denounced as a mere public relations tactic.

Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, believes that the idea of Palestinian refugees returning to their ancestral homes in present-day Israel is not feasible. He argues that this would essentially mean the end of Israel as a Jewish majority state.

Inbar also views Hamas' proposal as merely a publicity tactic targeting Western countries.

"They see a lot of support for the Palestinians in the Western world. They try to paint themselves as the good guys and Israel as the bad guys. Israel usually rejects their claims," he explained.

The United States and European countries may use this as a reason to ask Israel to give the Palestinians a chance. However, Israel is likely to be skeptical of this request.

THIS IMAGE WAS DIRECTLY PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY AND HAS NOT BEEN VETTED FOR EDITORIAL ACCURACY BY THE AP EDITORIAL TEAM. THE IMAGE MAY CONTAIN REFERENCES THAT DO NOT ADHERE TO AP’S EDITORIAL STANDARDS CONCERNING THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE. AP ALSO CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY, THE DATE, LOCATION OR CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH IT WAS SHOT. 8630797 29.02.2024 Azzam Al-Ahmad, a member of Fatah's central committee and of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, leaves after the Intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow, Russia. Ilya Pitalev / Sputnik via AP

This image was provided by a third party and has not been checked for accuracy by the AP editorial team. It may contain references that do not follow AP's editorial standards on the conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, AP cannot verify the date, location, or circumstances under which it was taken. Azzam Al-Ahmad, a member of Fatah's central committee and the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, is seen leaving after an Intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow, Russia on 29.02.2024. (8630797) Photo by Ilya Pitalev / Sputnikvia AP.

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Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamas would agree to a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, along with the return of Palestinian refugees in line with international resolutions. This was shared with The Associated Press in Istanbul on Wednesday.

The West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza were taken by Israel in the 1967 war. These areas are considered as occupied under international law and by most of the international community. Palestinians aim to establish a future state in these territories. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently opposed this idea, citing concerns about the security of his country.

Hayyah mentioned to AP that Hamas is considering joining the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to create a unified government for Gaza and the West Bank. Despite being invited to join the PLO, an alliance of Palestinian groups that made peace deals with it in the 1990s, Hamas has not yet done so.

Barghouti pointed out that as early as 2007, when Hamas led a Palestinian national unity government, it expressed willingness to support a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. He also noted that Hamas has shown interest in becoming part of the PLO, although this would not automatically mean recognizing Israel or the Oslo Accords signed by the PLO in the 1990s.

Hamas officials have mentioned concessions, but they have not been officially announced. It is uncertain if the statements made by officials overseas match the views of the military wing in Gaza.

A man looks at the destruction in a ravaged neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip Jabalia refugee camp on October 11, 2023, following overnight Israeli airstrikes amid continuing battles between Israel and the Hamas movement.

A man surveys the damage in a devastated neighborhood in the Gaza Strip's Jabalia refugee camp on October 11, 2023, after Israeli airstrikes overnight during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas movement.

Photo by Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

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Naim told CNN that Hayyah's statement to AP is consistent with Hamas' messaging during the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has not succeeded in removing Hamas from Gaza, but has weakened its military strength and governance in the region through bombing campaigns.

During a news conference in the Qatari capital Doha last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan mentioned that Hamas is ready to operate as a political party only after a Palestinian state is established. He referred to discussions held between the group and Turkish representatives, urging Hamas to clearly communicate their positions.

Inbar, a representative from the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, mentioned that Israelis have viewed Hamas as a hostile entity since October 7 and are determined to see it defeated. He explained that Israel is aware that Hamas will attempt to rebuild its military infrastructure after it has been destroyed by Israel. Inbar also stated that Israel will continue to conduct military operations, known as "mowing the grass," to weaken Hamas' military strength.

Credit to CNN's Zeena Saifi and Abeer Salman for contributing to this report.

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