By Taghreed Saadeh
Khaled Mashal’s interview with Al Jazeera presented a complex and contradictory picture of Hamas. He tried to give the impression of a renewed leadership capable of managing Gaza, while simultaneously justifying the enforced separation from the West Bank and Jerusalem under the pretext of Israeli restrictions. This stance comes despite calls from most Arab, Islamic, and European countries that support Palestinian rights for Hamas to step down, considering its continued rule an obstacle to any political or humanitarian path, including the Trump plan, which the movement had agreed to.
In the interview, Mashal sought to redefine Hamas’s regional position, denying that it is part of the so-called “Resistance Axis,” describing this label as one imposed by others. He claimed Hamas is open to all Arab and Islamic countries and said it enjoys growing support among Western youth, even claiming that 51% of Americans aged 18–21 support Hamas, despite its designation as a terrorist organization in the United States and Europe. This ignores the clear statements from these countries, and even public opinion, rejecting Hamas’s actions on October 7.
The most striking contradiction in Mashal’s speech is equating support for the Palestinian cause with support for Hamas, ignoring that this link has isolated the cause internationally at several stages. He also rejected disarmament and proposed a long-term truce of 11 years, which seems intended to allow Hamas to continue managing Gaza under the guise of protecting the truce.
It is even more surprising that Mashal described Saudi and French initiative as a political gain, even though these efforts are outside Hamas’s control and conflict with its continued rule over Gaza. He acknowledges the existence of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem (on the 1967 borders), meaning Hamas’s goal of separating Gaza from the West Bank would obstruct the initiative. His claim that “the nation has regained its spirit” after the war overlooks the fact that Palestinian history is full of struggle, before and after Hamas. The heavy human toll Gaza has paid thousands of deaths, destruction, and starvation cannot be justified with rhetorical statements or ignored outcomes.
Undeniably, Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people have harmed Israel’s image politically and morally, but these symbolic gains do not change the harsh reality, Gaza is trapped in a dark tunnel, and although the military intensity has decreased, the humanitarian and political impacts persist. International pressure has yet to reach a level that forces a fair resolution or a permanent halt to Israeli violence. Gaza still struggles to receive basic aid.
Regarding Palestinian unity, Mashal admitted the failure to form a government representing all Palestinians due to Israeli vetoes. He proposed a technocratic management of Gaza, retaining a “Security Forces,” raising questions about who truly holds political authority and accountability toward the people. It is clear that leadership remains distant from Ramallah, as he states, due to Israeli rejection.
While Mashal talks about Hamas’s recovery and rebuilding and openly declares its ambitions, the Palestinian people in Gaza continue to suffer. The reality remains that Hamas’s presence blocks the sector’s recovery, reconstruction, and even the delivery of aid.
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