Hamas Leader: This is What We Expect from the Peace Council in Gaza

Taysir Suleiman, a leader in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), revealed that the movement is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the announcement of what is known as the "Peace Council," stressing that judging the effectiveness of this council will not be through statements or media headlines, but through its actual ability to implement what is required on the ground. Suleiman explained, in statements to the evening program, that the foremost requirement is to establish a ceasefire, stop Israeli aggressions, open crossings, and deliver aid to the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that the absence of any mention of Gaza in the council's charter raises legitimate questions, but he stressed that Hamas will base its final position on practical results in the coming days, especially regarding the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and stopping ongoing Israeli violations.

The Hamas leader affirmed that urgent priorities include curbing the occupation's violations and facilitating the work of the national committee that was agreed upon by factions to manage civil affairs in the Gaza Strip, noting that the occupation continues to restrict this committee by preventing the entry of medicines, urgent materials, and building materials, and obstructing reconstruction efforts and fundraising.

European Positions

Commenting on the reserved European positions towards the council, Taysir Suleiman said that relations between the United States and European countries are going through a period of tension, considering that the abundance of slogans and protocol procedures does not necessarily mean real implementation on the ground. He added that any country has the right to demand constitutional or legal amendments it deems appropriate, stressing that the resistance and Palestinian factions will evaluate these positions in the coming phase. He explained that the primary task of the council, if it wants to be effective, is to establish the agreement that was reached between the resistance and the occupation, support the administrative committee in Gaza, and ensure the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, especially in light of what he described as widespread Israeli violations.

Suleiman pointed out that the Israeli occupation has committed more than 2500 field and qualitative violations since the announcement of the ceasefire, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 500 Palestinians and the injury of more than 1200 others, stressing that the true criterion for any international effort or peace council is its ability to pressure the occupation to abide by what was agreed upon more than 100 days ago. He explained that any positive evaluation of the Peace Council depends on its ability to enforce the opening of crossings, the entry of aid, facilitating the work of the civil administration in Gaza, and stopping continuous aggressions.

Resistance's Stance on Pressures

Regarding what Israeli sources reported about anticipated meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and American envoys to discuss issues related to disarming the Hamas movement, the Hamas leader stressed that the resistance defends its people's right to confront the occupation, considering the United States a partner in the injustice suffered by the Palestinian people in recent years.

Suleiman said that the Palestinian resistance, led by Hamas, has engaged in a long confrontation with the occupation and was not forced to surrender, stressing that the ceasefire came after steadfastness and confrontation, not as a result of submission or concession. He added that the resistance does not possess massive armies or fleets of weapons, but it possesses the right to defend its people and a just cause.

The Palestinian leader affirmed that the Israeli occupation is the fundamental cause of the crisis, and that attempts to impose dictates or ignore the rights of the Palestinian people will not succeed, noting that the evaluation of any American or international role will be based on actions, not words. He concluded by saying that the coming days will reveal the truth of the positions, and that the core of the issue will remain linked to ending the occupation and stopping its crimes against the Palestinian people.