Hamas political bureau chief Khalil Al-Hayya has expressed skepticism about the potential for change in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following the upcoming Israeli election. In an interview with Qatari broadcaster Al-Araby, Al-Hayya stated that Palestinians have suffered under the rule of every governing Israeli party. He emphasized that the Palestinian people's goals, aspirations, and legitimate rights should not be used as fuel for Israeli elections.
The Israeli election, scheduled for October 27, is a tight contest for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief. Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court over war crimes in the Gaza war and has rejected a US-led peace initiative that laid a road map for the implementation of the October 2025 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The elections take place amid ongoing Israeli breaches of the Gaza deal and a campaign of terror and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Al-Hayya highlighted the role Palestinian elections could play in overcoming the political division between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas. He expressed readiness to sit down with President Abbas to lay the foundations for a national program and achieve genuine unity. Hamas wants Palestinian elections to become a gateway to unifying Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem both geographically and politically.
The Palestinian Authority has scheduled a legislative election for November 28, which would be the first in two decades. Hamas won the last election in 2006, taking over control of the Gaza Strip after armed clashes with the Palestinian Authority. Al-Hayya noted that if the Palestinian elections are postponed, it should serve as an entry point for putting the Palestinian house in order.
Al-Hayya emphasized that the Palestinian struggle extends far beyond the Gaza ceasefire. He stated that the Palestinian cause is going through a state of oblivion and that there are many challenges facing the Palestinian people, but the greatest challenge is stopping the ongoing Israeli aggression. He noted that Israel's settlement expansion and attacks in the occupied West Bank, along with attacks on Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, are no less serious than the assault on Gaza.
Since the start of the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza, Israel has killed nearly 74,000 people and injured more than 174,000, according to the territory's health ministry. UN agencies estimate that around 1.9 million Palestinians, representing over 85 percent of Gaza's population, have been internally displaced. Hamas has held more than four meetings with US officials over the past two years, presenting evidence of Israeli breaches while reaffirming the movement's commitments under US President Donald Trump's peace plan.
Al-Hayya stressed the need for practical measures to compel Israel to fulfil its obligations, warning that the region will not enjoy stability without the Palestinian people obtaining their rights and establishing their state. He also noted that Hamas is fully ready to implement the roadmap and had taken all necessary steps to do so, accusing Israel of obstructing the ceasefire and refusing to meet its commitments.
Key points
- Hamas political bureau chief Khalil Al-Hayya says Palestinians have suffered under every Israeli government.
- The Israeli election is taking place amid ongoing Israeli breaches of the Gaza deal and a campaign of terror and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians in the West Bank.
- Al-Hayya emphasized the need for practical measures to compel Israel to fulfil its obligations.
