๐ข Highlights from the interview with Dr. Khalil Al-Hayya, Acting Head of the Hamas Movement in Gaza and Head of the Arab and Islamic Relations Office, on Al-Aqsa TV today, Wednesday (2/2):
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This situation demands immediate and decisive international action to hold the occupation accountable for its crimes and violations against the besieged Palestinian people.
The "israeli" occupation actively participates in the robbery and banditry operations, deepening the suffering of the Palestinian people. We exert tremendous efforts to confront this crisis.
The occupation tries to convey to the world that Hamas, Palestinian factions, and clans are hindering aid delivery. The truth, however, is that they facilitate aid distribution to the people.
The Palestinian people are resilient and will not surrender, as they believe in their humanitarian and political cause. The enemy and its allies will not succeed in achieving their goals. This steadfast people will endure, by Allah's will, and the occupation will not prevail against them.
We extend our deepest respect and gratitude to the valiant Palestinian resistance, which has been fighting bravely and persistently for 14 months to defend its people and land. We salute all the national factions fighting on the frontlines.
We are exploring all avenues and paths to stop the aggression. We are not hesitant to demand this, as we, the Palestinian people, clearly want the aggression to end.
A proposal has been made to form a committee to manage Gaza, put forward by our Egyptian brothers. We agreed to the suggestion under the key condition that this committee manages Gaza entirely locally, handling all daily life matters.
We held several meetings with our brothers in Fatah and other Palestinian leaders in Cairo, which were fruitful. The idea of the committee was widely accepted and continues to receive Egyptian support.
The recent Arab and Islamic summit also fully endorsed the committee, naming it the "Community Support Committee."
The committee will comprise Palestinian professionals from Gaza, capable of working in fields such as healthcare, education, police, security, civil defense, and municipal services. It will oversee government and public functions effectively.
In Palestine, we emphasize that the committee must maintain close coordination with the government in the West Bank to ensure comprehensive governance. Gaza is not isolated but remains an integral part of the Palestinian national fabric.
Systematic destruction and killings are part of "israeli" policy, even in its prisons, where the occupation pursues Palestinians and kills detainees in cold blood daily.
The occupation now seeks to annex the West Bank entirely, laying the groundwork with the new Trump administration, which it hopes will grant the green light for annexation.
The West Bank faces ongoing aggression, with increasing pressure on the Palestinian people. Meanwhile, Al-Quds suffers systematic targeting, including reducing the number of worshippers allowed into Al-Aqsa Mosque and preventing many from accessing it.
The threat to the Palestinian cause in the West Bank and Al-Quds is even greater than in Gaza. Therefore, a united national stance is essential, guided by a clear program and vision to confront this threat.
Regarding ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations, we nearly reached an agreement in July. It was within reach, with U.S. and mediator support, as well as some "israeli" leaders. However, Netanyahu himself prevented it, declaring in the Knesset yesterday that "Hamas wants to stop the war, but we donโt. We want our prisoners back."
I say to him: Without stopping the war, there will be no prisoner exchange. It is a connected equation.
The main obstacle in negotiations is the "israeli" government and Netanyahu, who block any progress for political reasons. Meanwhile, we have made numerous, continuous initiatives and shown significant flexibility to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the aggression and finalizing a prisoner exchange deal.
