Thread by @DropSiteNews

🧵 THREAD | Senior Hamas Official Osama Hamdan Interviewed by Al Jazeera (September 21, 2025)

1. On Negotiations & Trust in Mediators

Hamdan said the Israeli attack on Hamas’ negotiating team in Doha proved “this enemy is treacherous and aggressive, and cannot be trusted for even one moment.” He accused the United States – despite acting as a mediator with Qatar and Egypt – of giving Israel time and political cover to continue the genocide, citing Washington’s recent veto of the UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire supported by 14 other members.

He said there is no serious proposal on the table now, and that Hamas would only consider an agreement that includes:
▪️A complete cessation of aggression and a permanent ceasefire
▪️Full withdrawal from Gaza
▪️Open crossings for unrestricted aid
▪️Reconstruction of Gaza
▪️A fair prisoner exchange

He noted that Hamas has never insisted on participation in Gaza governance as a condition, and that they are open to a technocratic administration eventually leading to general Palestinian elections. The obstacle, he insisted, is Israel’s intransigence, not the Palestinian position nor the Arab mediators.

2. On Disarmament Demands

Hamdan rejected the idea that Hamas might disarm: “The talk of giving up weapons is not on the table.” He argued that surrendering arms would mean surrendering the philosophy of resistance — exactly what colonial powers have always wanted. Palestinians, he said, tried the path of compromise in Oslo, giving up 77% of historic Palestine, yet still received nothing. “The right way forward is ending the occupation entirely, not bargaining away more rights.”

3. On Global Recognition & Next Steps

Asked about Western recognition of a Palestinian state despite Gaza’s devastation, Hamdan said recognition is a step in the right direction but insufficient alone. It must be followed by:
▪️International measures compelling Israel to respect Palestinian rights
▪️Sanctions, boycotts, and isolation of Israel politically and economically
▪️Continued Palestinian resistance and steadfastness

Only this combination, he said, will force Israel to retreat and secure Palestinian rights.

4. Rejecting Surrender

Hamdan dismissed calls – even from some Arab voices – that Hamas should “face reality” and step back, saying realism does not mean surrendering to facts imposed by the occupier. He accused Israel of trying to dominate the region and threaten multiple Arab states, pointing to Netanyahu’s expansionist rhetoric and attacks from Lebanon to Yemen. “True realism,” he said, “means reading the situation clearly and realizing this entity must be deterred.”

5. Hamas’ Vision for Ending the War

- The root cause is the occupation, which must end under international law.
- The first step must be an immediate halt to the aggression.
- Borders must open for aid and reconstruction.
- A comprehensive prisoner swap must follow.

This, he said, is the only just path toward Palestinian statehood and peace.

6. He closed with a message to world leaders gathering at the UN General Assembly:

1. The root of the problem is the occupation, and it must end. Otherwise, the crisis will continue to grow like cancer.

2. For 75 years, Palestinians have held fast to their rights. No matter the factions or leaders, the rights remain. The world must act to support this steadfastness.

3. Palestinians do not need guardianship — they need empowerment to choose their own destiny and build their state with Jerusalem as its capital.

4. Accepting genocide and mass displacement here will set a precedent for others worldwide. This path leads to global chaos, just as the world stumbled into two world wars. If the world wants peace and stability, this occupation must end.

7. “Defeating the Palestinian People is Impossible” — On Netanyahu’s Reaction to Palestinian Recognition