Hamas: Direct negotiations with the occupation is not our policy

The Hamas movement denied accusations that negotiating directly with Israel is one of its policies, stressing that it is not considered in the movement’s deliberations.

A statement issued by Hamas yesterday stated: “Commenting on the media statements attributed to Dr Mousa Abu-Marzouk on the subject of negotiations with the occupation, the movement confirms the following: Direct negotiations with the Zionist enemy is not among the movement’s policies and not on the table in deliberations; this is the policy adopted by the movement.”

Media outlets quoted Abu-Marzouk, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, as saying that the movement may find itself forced to negotiate with Israel directly if the situation remained the same in the Gaza Strip due to the intransigence of the Palestinian Authority and its procrastination in shouldering its responsibilities based on the last reconciliation agreement.