Hamas Leader Floats ‘Unity Government’ with Palestinian Authority

In a pre-recorded speech, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Hamas terrorist group, announced the group’s willingness to form a unity government with the Palestinian Authority.

Haniyeh expressed openness to rebuilding the national reference under the Palestine Liberation Organization’s democratic umbrella and establishing a national government for both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

“We are open to all national components to rebuild our national reference under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organization democratically, in addition to agreeing to a national government for the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” said Haniyeh. “Gaza will not see chaos or political vacuum until an agreement is reached on forming a national unity government to manage both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,” he added.

For the past two decades, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) have been at odds since Hamas forcefully took control of Gaza from the PA, which retains authority in the West Bank. The ongoing question during the Gaza war revolves around whether Hamas will maintain control in Gaza and if a unified government can be formed. Some Israeli officials are wary of occupying or administering Gaza, while others find leaving Hamas in power unacceptable. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected allowing the PA to control Gaza, citing concerns about terrorism and pledging “total victory” over it.

Netanyahu firmly stated his opposition to transforming “Hamastan” into “Fatahstan,” referencing Fatah, the ruling party of the PA. The New York Times highlighted the PA’s unpopularity in the West Bank due to corruption and its perceived collaboration with the Israeli occupation. President Mahmoud Abbas, the 88-year-old leader of the PA, refrains from holding elections since Hamas rose to power in 2007, maintaining his position.

Hamas anticipates its continued existence and power post-Gaza operation, planning for the future, including a potential alliance with Fatah. The “military wing” of Hamas expressed discontent with these negotiations, with military leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly urging a halt to political outreach to Fatah in December. Haniyeh, disregarding these demands, maintained contact with the PA. Some in the political wing believe a fusion government would be more acceptable to European leaders than an unrestrained Hamas, deemed toxic after the October 7 atrocities. There’s speculation that the military wing might diminish, paving the way for a new iteration of Hamas.

The death of deputy Hamas leader Saleh al-Afrouri in Lebanon, potentially due to an Israeli drone strike, could impact negotiations. Observers anticipate surviving Hamas leaders going underground, affecting talks with Israel and Fatah. The terrorist group might adopt a more rigid stance to avoid appearing submissive under the threat of further assassinations, as suggested by Ashraf Abouelhoul, managing editor of Egypt’s Al-Ahram.

{Matzav.com Israel}