Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has indicated its willingness to agree to a truce with Israel that could extend beyond five years. In a significant concession, Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, stated that the group would be prepared to disarm and transition into a political party if an independent Palestinian state were established along pre-1967 borders. This offer comes amidst a months-long stalemate in cease-fire talks between Hamas and Israel.
Although Hamas has historically been committed to the destruction of Israel, al-Hayya’s comments suggest a potential softening of the group’s stance. He emphasized that Hamas is seeking to join the Palestine Liberation Organisation, headed by the rival Fatah faction, and form a unified government for Gaza and the West Bank.
Al-Hayya’s proposal aligns with the international community’s support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, Israel’s hard-line government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has consistently rejected such a solution.
The ongoing war in Gaza, which began with deadly Hamas attacks in October 2014, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and over 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. Despite Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas battalions, al-Hayya maintains that the group’s capabilities remain largely intact.
He also denied allegations that Hamas intentionally targeted civilians during the October attacks and asserted that the operation successfully brought the Palestinian issue back to the world’s attention. Al-Hayya expressed confidence that even if Hamas were eradicated, Palestinian armed uprisings would continue in the future.
While there has been no immediate reaction from Israel or the Palestinian Authority to Hamas’s offer, it remains to be seen whether the two sides can reach an agreement. The potential for a long-term truce and the establishment of a Palestinian state hinge on Israel’s willingness to consider Hamas’s concessions and the international community’s continued support for a two-state solution.
