Senior Hamas official Khaled Mashaal has rejected the possibility of a two-state solution, asserting that the October 7 assault on Israel by his group demonstrated the viability of liberating Palestine “from the river to the sea.”
Speaking in a recent interview with Kuwaiti podcaster Ammar Taki, Mashaal emphasized the near consensus among Palestinians in refusing to relinquish their claims to the entire region, encompassing the West Bank, Gaza, and all of Israel.
He highlighted that the slogan advocating for the liberation of the entire territory is not limited to Palestinians but is also echoed by individuals in the United States and European capitals.
Mashaal argued that the October 7 attack has rekindled aspirations for this broader vision, according to The Times of Israel.
In terms of potential political settlements, Mashaal categorically dismissed the option of a two-state solution with Israel. He justified this stance by asserting that such an agreement would imply recognizing the legitimacy of the State of Israel, which he deemed an “unacceptable” red line for Hamas.
While acknowledging that Hamas has previously agreed to a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders as part of reconciliation dialogues with other Palestinian factions, notably Fatah, Mashaal clarified that this concession does not negate the group’s overarching goal of liberating all of historic Palestine, including the territory of the State of Israel.
Discussing the October 7 onslaught, Mashaal revealed that being in power in Gaza for the past 17 years provided Hamas with the necessary “political and administrative cover” to build its terror infrastructure without interference from the Palestinian Authority or Israel.
This cover allowed the group to manufacture weapons, dig tunnels, and train its members.
The conflict resulted in widespread casualties, with terrorists overrunning military bases, communities, and a music festival, leading to the death of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the taking of 253 hostages.
