Hamas official says group would lay down its weapons if a two-state solution is implemented
Source: Yahoo
ISTANBUL (AP) A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders.
The comments by Khalil al-Hayya in an interview Wednesday came amid a stalemate in months of cease-fire talks. The suggestion that Hamas would disarm appeared to be a significant concession by the militant group officially committed to Israels destruction.
But it's unlikely Israel would consider such a scenario. It has vowed to crush Hamas following the deadly Oct. 7 attacks that triggered the war, and its current leadership is adamantly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state on lands Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.
Al-Hayya, a high-ranking Hamas official who has represented the Palestinian militants in negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage exchange, struck a sometimes defiant and other times conciliatory tone.
Speaking to the AP in Istanbul, Al-Hayya said Hamas wants to join the Palestine Liberation Organization, headed by the rival Fatah faction, to form a unified government for Gaza and the West Bank. He said Hamas would accept a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions, along Israels pre-1967 borders.
If that happens, he said, the group's military wing would dissolve.
Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/hamas-official-says-group-lay-042617098.html
RockRaven
(15,005 posts)claudette
(3,599 posts)Nuttyahoo wanted the same thing. We can hope he changes his mind
jimfields33
(15,971 posts)I wouldnt trust Hamas at all. Not sure why anyone would trust Hamas. Kinda scary.
claudette
(3,599 posts)I recall it was Netanyahoo who said "never" to a two-state solution.
Lonestarblue
(10,084 posts)Bibi does not want peace. He wants all the land.
Archae
(46,350 posts)They want power, and money.
sarisataka
(18,774 posts)This is what needs to change-
TexasBushwhacker
(20,215 posts)Hamas agrees to a 5 year cease fire, provided Israel goes back to pre-1967 borders ...
until they don't.
sarisataka
(18,774 posts)"If you surrender now, we'll give you five years of peace (maybe) "
LauraInLA
(426 posts)that they would now agree to join with them. Take over the organization, perhaps.