On Thursday, senior Hamas official Taher Nounou asserted that the terrorist group would maintain control over the Gaza Strip until a practical and sustainable Palestinian Arab alternative is put into place.
Speaking with The Associated Press in Cairo, Nounou characterized the 12-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as a sign that “practically, we can say that the war is over.” However, he emphasized that a final resolution hinges on reaching an agreement for the second phase of the truce.
When asked if Hamas considered itself victorious in the conflict, Nounou responded, “The Palestinian people were not defeated … The enemy did not achieve its goals,” pointing to Israel’s failure to dismantle Hamas or forcibly retrieve hostages held by the group.
Hamas has been in talks with the Palestinian Authority about a possible governance framework for Gaza. Nounou revealed that Hamas had agreed to an Egyptian proposal to transfer control to a “community support committee” made up of independent technocrats. Alternatively, he mentioned the possibility of forming a national consensus government that would manage both Palestinian Authority-controlled areas in Judea and Samaria as well as Gaza.
However, he claimed that Fatah, the leading faction within the Palestinian Authority that has long been in conflict with Hamas, had rejected both proposals.
“Until one of the two options is adopted, there will be no vacuum. The current (Hamas-led) administration will bear its responsibility towards our people. And this is what is happening right now,” he told AP.
Nounou also reaffirmed Hamas’ commitment to ensuring the success of the second phase of the ceasefire with Israel, while warning that hostilities could resume if Israel opts to abandon the negotiations.
Related articles: The deal stipulates that talks between Israel and Hamas regarding the next phase of the ceasefire are expected to begin by Monday.
“We’re determined — along with the Egyptian and Qatari mediators — to make this stage a success,” Nounou told AP.
{Matzav.com Israel}
