Israel
Hamas will ‘accept PA governing Gaza’ under ceasefire deal
A spokesman for the terror group also called October 7 a ‘historic success’ and indicated that the subsequent war could have been even more widespread
February 17, 2025 10:58
A spokesman for the terror group also called October 7 a ‘historic success’ and indicated that the subsequent war could have been even more widespread
February 17, 2025 10:58Hamas has indicated that it would allow the Palestinian Authority (PA) to take over governance of Gaza under the ceasefire deal in a major policy shift.
A report from Sky News Arabic quotes sources within the terror group as admitting that it would give up its political control of the Strip in order to end the war.
The continuation of a Hamas government was a major stumbling block in negotiations, with both the US and Israel insisting that the organisation could not be part of any administration of the future.
Instead, the idea of giving control of Gaza over to a heavily-reformed PA has been floated as a potential solution, given that the Authority already exerts political control over the West Bank.
An important step in that process was made last week, when the PA announced it would scrap its controversial ‘pay to slay’ scheme, which channels funds to Palestinians convicted of violent crimes against Israelis.
And now it appears that one of the key remaining barriers to the plan – Hamas’ insistence on keeping Gaza – may be dismantled.
The Sky report suggests that all current government officials will be “re-absorbed into the new administration” or will “retire, with a guarantee that their salaries be paid”.
The shift was reportedly prompted by “significant pressure” from Egyptian mediators during a recent visit to Cairo by a Hamas delegation.
But Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the prospect of a PA-governed Strip, instead backing US President Trump’s plan to “take over” Gaza and redevelop it after resettling the population.
Netanyahu said: “Just as I have committed to, on the day after the war in Gaza, there will be neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. I am committed to US President Trump's plan for the creation of a different Gaza.”
Likewise, his Defence Minister Israel Katz has seemingly ruled out the prospect of Palestinian statehood in a meeting with US senators, while also throwing his wait behind the Trump plan.
It follows, Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan hailing the October 7 massacres as a “historic success” during an Al Jazeera press forum.
He said: “October 7 is a historic success in which hundreds of people managed to destroy and dismantle the IDF's Gaza Division.
"Hamas's victory is an opportunity in that Israel's defeat is possible and also a challenge - is there readiness and seriousness for such a battle?”
Hamdan also indicated that the subsequent war could have spread into a wider regional conflict, claiming that the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah offered his group’s direct military assistance in Gaza, but that Hamas turned him down.
Israel engaged Hezbollah separately in southern Lebanon last year and the withdrawal of IDF troops is still ongoing, while Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike.