DOHA: Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya has dismissed the prospect of major change following Israel’s upcoming election, saying Palestinian suffering should not become an issue for Israeli political campaigns.
In an interview with Qatari broadcaster Al-Araby on Saturday, Hayya said Palestinians had suffered under successive Israeli governments.
“Whether this or that person comes to power, or this party or another — our people have suffered at the hands of all Israeli parties,” he said.
Hayya said Hamas rejected any attempt to use the conflict in Gaza for electoral purposes.
“We absolutely refuse to allow the blood, suffering, and cause of the Palestinian people to serve as fuel for Israeli elections,” he said.
He added that Hamas’s priority was for Palestinians to achieve what it described as their goals, aspirations and rights.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking another term in the October 27 election. He has said he will not withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza and has rejected a US-led peace initiative.
The election will be the first in Israel since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered the war in Gaza.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israel’s military offensive has displaced most of Gaza’s population, destroyed or damaged much of the territory’s buildings and killed more than 73,900 people.
Netanyahu’s main challenger is reportedly Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief who served in Netanyahu’s war cabinet. Eisenkot has criticised Netanyahu’s handling of the war.
Hamas Seeks Talks With Abbas
Hayya also said Hamas was prepared to hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to work towards political unity.
“We are ready to sit down with President Abbas to lay the foundations for a national program and achieve genuine unity,” he said.
The Palestinian Authority has scheduled legislative elections for November 28. The vote would be the first Palestinian legislative election in two decades, although uncertainty remains over whether it will take place.
Hamas won the previous legislative election in 2006, defeating Abbas’s Fatah movement. Hamas later took control of Gaza, while Abbas remained based in the occupied West Bank.
Hayya said any postponement of the election should be used to address political divisions among Palestinians.
Hamas has also been developing an alliance with Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah figure from Gaza who has been involved in discussions with the United States over its peace initiative.
“In the event of a postponement, the alliance will remain intact and open to all, aiming to forge a unified national front,” Hayya said.
However, it remains unclear whether Hamas would be permitted to participate in the election.
Abbas has required candidates to accept the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s political platform. The PLO recognised Israel’s right to exist in 1993 as part of the Oslo peace process.
Hamas Offers to Mediate Saudi-Houthi Dispute
Hayya also said Hamas had offered to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The Houthis have carried out attacks against Saudi Arabia since July as regional tensions have escalated.
“I hope that this will be accepted,” Hayya said of the mediation offer.
“Hamas is loyal to these peoples, who are our base,” he added.
