Hamas officials have indicated a potential willingness to renounce armed conflict against Israel if an independent Palestinian state is established in territories captured by Israel in the 1967 war.
The shift in messaging from some Hamas representatives comes amid heightened tensions between the militant group and Israel, particularly following Israel's recent military actions in the Gaza Strip, which Hamas governs. Historically, Hamas has advocated for the destruction of Israel.
Basem Naim, a member of Hamas' political bureau based in Istanbul, stated to CNN on Thursday that the group would consider disarming if an independent Palestinian state were to be created.
Naim suggested that Hamas' armed wing, known as Al Qassam, could potentially be integrated into a national army if certain conditions were met, including the establishment of a Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem and the preservation of the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
However, Hamas has traditionally rejected the idea of a two-state solution, instead advocating for a Palestinian state that encompasses all of historic Palestine, including territories currently occupied by Israel.
Mustafa Barghouti, President of the Palestinian National Initiative, described the potential shift in Hamas' stance as significant, noting that Palestinians resist occupation and would no longer need to do so if occupation ceased.
However, skepticism remains regarding Hamas' intentions. Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, characterized Hamas' offer as a public relations move aimed at Western nations. He suggested that Hamas may be seeking to portray itself as cooperative while maintaining its core objectives.
The Netanyahu government of Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas following previous conflicts between the two sides. Israel's stance on the matter remains firm, with concerns about security and the viability of a peace agreement with Hamas.
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