In a press statement, HAMAS deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri pointed out that his movement is in contact with Fatah on a daily basis to formulate a vision capable of achieving this goal.

Three tracks

Al-Arouri said that three tracks were agreed upon during the meeting of secretaries-general to face off the challenges posed to the Palestinian cause.

The first track, al-Arouri explained, is to agree on forming a unified Palestinian leadership to face off the annexation plan through popular resistance.

Setting up a commission charge with presenting an outline with specific dates and steps within five weeks to restructure the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is the second track, al-Arouri added. 

Al-Arouri noted that the third track is ending the intra-Palestinian division and restore national unity.

Hamas has taken the initiative to contact Fatah and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to face off the “deal of the century”, al-Arouri demonstrated, noting that it has been agreed to cast aside political differences to fight off the Israeli annexation plan.  

Al-Arouri noted that the meeting of secretaries-general of the Palestinian factions was held, thanks to Palestinian efforts, adding that Tukey, Qatar, Egypt, and Lebanon among other countries had welcomed the move.

Resistance in all forms

Slamming the “deal of the century,” annexation, and normalization as “treasonable and painful stabs in the back of the Palestinian people,” al-Arouri highlighted the Palestinians’ right to resist the occupation in all forms and with all means possible.

“Escalation and ceasefire in Gaza are linked to the Israeli occupation’s move to tighten its siege and intensify its aggression against our people,” al-Arouri noted.

The latest escalation in Gaza was a result of the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave, in addition to the outbreak of the coronavirus, al-Arouri explained. 

Reconciliation efforts

Regarding Russia’s call for a meeting of Palestinian factions in Moscow, al-Arouri reiterated that Hamas welcomes any effort intended to end the intra-Palestinian rift and achieve reconciliation.

As for elections, al-Arouri affirmed that holding National Council, legislative, and presidential elections will “create a legitimacy that cannot be fought off.”

“The PLO’s structure should be built on elections,” al-Arouri explained, confirming that Hamas is open to all options concerning presidential elections.

Speaking about his movement’s meeting with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, al-Arouri said that the summit focused on normalization with the Israeli occupation, Israeli annexation plans, and developments related to the Palestinian cause.

Lebanon visit

As for the head of Hamas Political Bureau’s visit to Lebanon, al-Arouri explained that Haniyeh was adamant to make this visit to “meet with our people who were displaced from their homes,” despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Palestinian refugees, al-Arouri added, are not looking forward to re-settlement in Lebanon but they are longing to return to their homeland from which they were forced out.

Al-Arouri pointed out that Hamas is interested in developing the role of Palestinian refugee camps everywhere in support of the Palestinians’ struggle for their rights.

ILKHA