DOHA: A Hamas source close to the group’s negotiating committee told AFP on Sunday that it will not participate in post-war Gaza governance, as world leaders prepare to converge on Egypt for a Gaza peace summit.
The source’s comments come days after an Israel-Hamas ceasefire came into effect, and as both sides discuss implementing US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war, which calls for Hamas’ disarmament and for the group not to be involved in running post-war Gaza.
“For Hamas, the governance of the Gaza Strip is a closed issue. Hamas will not participate at all in the transitional phase, which means it has relinquished control of the Strip, but it remains a fundamental part of the Palestinian fabric,” the source told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
Unlike other more top-heavy militant organizations in the region, Hamas’ leadership has in the past been divided on key issues, including on the future administration of Gaza.
But where there appears to be no division among top members is on the question of disarmament, which the group has long described as a red line.
“Hamas agrees to a long-term truce, and for its weapons not to be used at all during this period, except in the event of an Israeli attack on Gaza,” the source said.
Another Hamas official who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive topics had earlier told AFP that Hamas’ disarmament was “out of the question.”
The first clause of Trump’s 20-point plan calls for Gaza to become a “deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.”
The plan also states Hamas will not have a role in future governance of the Strip, and that its military infrastructure and weapons should be “destroyed and not rebuilt.”
Under Trump’s plan, a temporary technocratic and apolitical Palestinian committee would be charged with the day-to-day running of public services.
The source close to the negotiators said they had asked for mediator Egypt to call a meeting before the end of next week to agree on the composition of this committee, adding that “the names are almost ready.”
“Hamas, along with the other factions, have submitted 40 names. There is absolutely no veto over them, and none of them belong to Hamas,” he added.
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Hamas will not govern post-war Gaza: Hamas source close to negotiating committee
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Hamas will not govern post-war Gaza: Hamas source close to negotiating committee
- ‘For Hamas, the governance of the Gaza Strip is a closed issue’
- Hamas’ leadership has in the past been divided on key issues, including on the future administration of Gaza
Netanyahu mocks corruption trial as ‘Bugs Bunny’ farce
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the ongoing corruption case against him as a “Bugs Bunny trial” and defended his controversial pardon request in a video published on social media.
The three-minute video, released late Thursday, came a week after Netanyahu formally requested a pardon from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, arguing that his prosecution was dividing the nation.
US President Donald Trump also sent a letter last month to Herzog with the same request.
In the video shared online late Thursday, Netanyahu denounced the proceedings a “political trial” designed to force him from office, reiterating his longstanding denial of any wrongdoing.
The charges include two cases in which Netanyahu allegedly negotiated favorable media coverage from Israeli news outlets, and a third involving accusations he accepted more than $260,000 in luxury gifts — including cigars, jewelry, and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favors.
A fourth corruption charge was previously dismissed.
In the video, Netanyahu held up a Bugs Bunny puppet, mocking prosecutors for allegedly citing a cartoon doll he received as a gift for his son 29 years ago as evidence against him.
“From now on, this trial will be known as the Bugs Bunny trial,” he declared.
Netanyahu further dismissed the cigar gifts as presents “from a friend” and claimed his alleged attempts to secure favorable coverage from “a second-rate Internet site” instead resulted in “the most hateful, antagonistic, negative press coverage you can imagine in Israel.”
Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial for corruption.
The proceedings, which began in 2019, have recently required him to testify three times weekly — a schedule he argues prevents him from effectively governing.
“This farce is costing the country dearly,” he said. “I can’t deal with that... So I asked for a pardon.”
The cases have exposed sharp divisions in Israeli society.
On Monday, before Netanyahu’s latest court appearance, rival groups of protesters gathered outside the Tel Aviv courthouse — some chanting in support of the prime minister, others opposing him, including demonstrators wearing bright orange prison-style jumpsuits to imply that he should be imprisoned.
The three-minute video, released late Thursday, came a week after Netanyahu formally requested a pardon from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, arguing that his prosecution was dividing the nation.
US President Donald Trump also sent a letter last month to Herzog with the same request.
In the video shared online late Thursday, Netanyahu denounced the proceedings a “political trial” designed to force him from office, reiterating his longstanding denial of any wrongdoing.
The charges include two cases in which Netanyahu allegedly negotiated favorable media coverage from Israeli news outlets, and a third involving accusations he accepted more than $260,000 in luxury gifts — including cigars, jewelry, and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favors.
A fourth corruption charge was previously dismissed.
In the video, Netanyahu held up a Bugs Bunny puppet, mocking prosecutors for allegedly citing a cartoon doll he received as a gift for his son 29 years ago as evidence against him.
“From now on, this trial will be known as the Bugs Bunny trial,” he declared.
Netanyahu further dismissed the cigar gifts as presents “from a friend” and claimed his alleged attempts to secure favorable coverage from “a second-rate Internet site” instead resulted in “the most hateful, antagonistic, negative press coverage you can imagine in Israel.”
Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial for corruption.
The proceedings, which began in 2019, have recently required him to testify three times weekly — a schedule he argues prevents him from effectively governing.
“This farce is costing the country dearly,” he said. “I can’t deal with that... So I asked for a pardon.”
The cases have exposed sharp divisions in Israeli society.
On Monday, before Netanyahu’s latest court appearance, rival groups of protesters gathered outside the Tel Aviv courthouse — some chanting in support of the prime minister, others opposing him, including demonstrators wearing bright orange prison-style jumpsuits to imply that he should be imprisoned.
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