Hamas official says group would lay down its arms if an independent Palestinian state is established

[TheProle]

ISTANBUL (AP) — A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders.

The comments by Khalil al-Hayya in an interview Wednesday came amid a stalemate in months of talks for a cease-fire in Gaza. The suggestion that Hamas would disarm appeared to be a significant concession by the militant group officially committed to Israel’s destruction.

But it’s unlikely Israel would consider such a scenario. It has vowed to crush Hamas following the deadly Oct. 7 attacks that triggered the war, and its current leadership is adamantly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state on lands Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

https://apnews.com/article/hamas-khalil-alhayya-qatar-ceasefire-1967-borders-4912532b11a9cec29464eab234045438

59 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	Good faith offer
	7 (12%)
	Insidious shell game
	47 (80%)
	Other (please explain)
	5 (8%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[JohnSJ]

1. From the group that broke the cease fire and committed the October 7th attack.

[northern light]

2. If we are just to consider october's attack not the whole history.

What is Israel's long term solution? Settler colonialism usually doesn't end well. In America hundreds of years later the effects are still being felt, as Native Americans are still struggling. Americans tried really hard to wipe out indigenous culture and assimilate the remainder of the people. It didn't work. They did this without the world watching. How long is the US going to fund Israel's venture. There is going to be a time that the piggy bank is going to be empty. Maybe the next generations of Americans are going to re-arrange their priorities to provide for a better living, healthcare, cure homelessness and generally take care of people rather than peovide weapons to kill people.

[WarGamer]

3. Might be worth exploring... if peace is really the goal... and not just new beach front hotels and resorts

[sarisataka]

4. Perhaps shell game more than Other, but I believe the offer is mostly honest

in that they will abide a five year ceasefire, though a few rockets may head Israel's way.

I did a bit of research as to why the five-year offer, what would Hamas gain? I have several ideas:

1- PR victory, they stood up to Israel and lived. The blood price others paid will be coopted by Hamas to make them appear the victims.

2- Money (of course)- Aid will be needed, to feed and rebuild the Gaza. A percentage will make its way into Hamas coffers. In addition, by "renouncing" militancy, opportunities will open for direct contributions from sympathetic groups.

3- Power, as the "victors" they will likely be the pre-eminent political group in the future Palestine. Five years should be plenty to solidify their control as absolute rules of not only Gaza but the West Bank

4- Weapons, they will be able to obtain more and better weapons. Likely there will be UN restrictions but those have been shown to be toothless. It is unlikely they could get enough quality weapons to match the IDF but as has been said quantity is a quality of its own.

5- Bodies. This is what occurred to me first, so I checked the demographics of Palestine. The survey is a few years old but there are about 700,000 males in the West Bank and Gaza between the ages of 15 and 24. In addition, there are roughly 280,000 males between the ages of 10 and 14. In five years they would theoretically be able to field nearly a million fighters.

I believe Hamas intends to keep its promise to repeat Al Aqsa Flood. In 2023 they attacked with about 3,000, Al Aqsa flood 2029 will be made with 300,000.

[Happy Hoosier]

5. I do not believe them.

But it's also moot. No way Israel returns to Pre-67 borders.

[Biophilic]

11. And Hamas knows that so the offer is suspect, to say the least. nt

[FalloutShelter]

6. Then produce the hostages and we'll begin with a cease fire.

CRICKETS.
It has been for six months.

[comradebillyboy]

7. Hamas propose that Israel gives them everything

and they promise not to start a new war for five years. Sure thing.

[Nanjeanne]

8. Would like to see Egypt's proposal agreed to by Israel and Hamas

Egypt's proposal to Israel:
1) Suspend Rafah invasion prep
2) Full hostage release; release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners
3) Absolute 1-year ceasefire
4) During ceasefire, steps toward creating Palestinian state. US, Egypt, Jordan, PA would support

[sarisataka]

9. That is proably the best either side can get at the moment

I would question who enforces the ceasefire? Will there be a force to stop Hamas from firing rockets at Israel or if they do so will Israel be allowed to respond?

[LeftInTX]

13. I feel they should just become a state. No strings attached.

The US should not veto their UN petition.

Palestinians can then be held accountable for their actions.
Right now Palestinians "are 70 year old kids in the basement".

Palestine would then need to focus on their own.

I don't think this will bring peace in the short term, but right now Palestinians spend their entire lives opposing Israel.
If they have their own state, they can focus on their selves.
Also, it diminishes the "Israel boogie-man" narrative

[ripcord]

10. After the damage Israel has done

It will probably take them 5 years to prepare for another 10/7 terrorist attack. Why would Isael trust them after breaking the last ceasefire with a huge terror attack,?

[LeftInTX]

12. I say let them become a state. They will then be responsible for their own actions.

Right now they're refugees. They will no longer be refugees. They will need to develop an economy.

It's time to kick them out of the basement.

I doubt if they will lay down arms, but granting statehood will force them to become responsible.

[chouchou]

14. Hamas has even less integrity than Mitch McConnel.

I wouldn't trust them with a light-year pole.

[Beastly Boy]

15. I am sure hams will agree to the truce. The question is, will it abide by it?

I am not betting a dime on it.

[Ping Tung]

16. They won't know if they don't take the offer.

The offer. if both sides abide by it, would be a huge step in ending the endless tit-for-tat violence in the dispute.

[JustAnotherGen]

17. Their a bunch of lying terrorists

And they need to release the hostages.

Also - I wouldn't trust anything David Duke says either.

[SoFlaBro]

18. Exactly. You don't negotiate with terrorists. You wipe them the fuck out 100%. Fuck that so-so shit.

[Behind the Aegis]

19. But, Gen, don'tcha know, you're supposed to negotiate with people like Duke.

It is the responsible thing to do. Afterall, you don't negotiate with friends. (Actually said here in reference to Israel/Gaza)

ETA: I KNOW Gen will understand what I said for what it is...

[JustAnotherGen]

20. You betcha!

I don't see any difference between Hamas and the Klan. I just don't!

[lees1975]

21. Trying to gain traction and sympathy.

Israel's attack on Gaza has produced a lot of sympathy for Palestinian independence and freedom, and Hamas wants to capitalize on that to its benefit.

Hamas and Hezbollah are untrustworthy terrorists. Sorry, no.

[TheKentuckian]

22. I'm confused by what part of release the hostages and surrender unconditionally isn't getting processed?

Setting up a "state" (aka corrupt haven for terrorism and permanent beachhead to attack and destabilize Israel) for Hamas and/or Hezbollah to rule is not only a nonstarter but suicidal and crazy.

We have seen their "governance" for years. What is it that any rational person projects would improve with an even stronger hand?

Utterly irresponsible and well past ludicrously dangerous.

Absolutely not.