Hamas is open to any national figure managing Gaza: al-Hayya
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In comprehensive remarks detailing Hamas’ vision for the next phase in Gaza, deputy chief of Hamas's political bureau, Khalil al-Hayya, declared in an interview with Al Jazeera that 'Israel' has “failed to achieve its goals” after two years of war.
Al-Hayya said Hamas is prepared to hand over “all administrative control in Gaza, including security,” and confirmed a consensus with the Palestinian faction Fatah on deploying UN forces to monitor the ceasefire. He also highlighted plans for elections aimed at unifying the Palestinian national front.
The Hamas leader accused 'Israel' of continuing ceasefire violations and obstructing the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to the Strip.
These statements come weeks after a ceasefire agreement ended a devastating two-year war and as the first steps of the “Trump plan” begin to take shape. They outline Hamas’ perspective on the “day after” in Gaza, their commitment to the agreement, and their vision for internal Palestinian affairs following meetings with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Commitment to Ceasefire and Ending the War
Al-Hayya stressed that Hamas is committed to the ceasefire, noting that “President Trump has said the war is over, and every day we hear American statements confirming this.” He added that Hamas “will not give Israel any excuse to resume hostilities.”
He told US envoys Witkoff and Kushner that Hamas are “advocates of stability” and that “President Trump is capable of restraining Israel.”
Regarding implementation, al-Hayya said Hamas had met the first phase of the agreement by releasing 20 Israeli captives within 72 hours of the ceasefire. On the issue of returning bodies, he said, “We have handed over 17 of the 28 bodies of Israeli captives” and that efforts are ongoing, with new areas to be searched for the remaining remains.
He criticized 'Israel' for being uncooperative regarding several prisoners’ names, saying “efforts on this issue have not ended.”
Hamas’ Vision for Gaza’s Administration
Al-Hayya announced Hamas’ full readiness to transfer governance of Gaza: “We will hand over all administrative control in Gaza to the administrative committee, including security. We have no reservations about any national figure residing in Gaza managing the sector.”
National Dialogue and Role of the UN
On national dialogue, al-Hayya revealed progress with Fatah, saying, “We have agreed on the deployment of UN forces to monitor and enforce the ceasefire.”
He added that all Palestinian factions had agreed the UN’s role would focus on reconstruction in Gaza. The ultimate goal, he said, is to unify Palestinian institutions and hold elections: “We want to move toward elections as a step to reuniting the national front… We are one people and want one government and authority.”
Hamas emphasized that it will not act independently of a national consensus.
Weapons and Disarmament
On the issue of disarming, a central point in the Trump plan, al-Hayya said the matter “is still under discussion with factions and mediators; the agreement is in its early stages.” He linked Hamas’ weapons to Israel’s occupation: “Our weapons are tied to the existence of the occupation and aggression. Once the occupation ends, the weapons will be transferred to the state.”
'Israeli' Violations and Humanitarian Aid
Al-Hayya accused 'Israel' of ongoing violations that threaten the ceasefire: “The violations worry the people and jeopardize the agreement.”
He stressed the urgency of humanitarian aid, noting that “Gaza needs 6,000 trucks of aid daily, not just 600.” He said 'Israel' continues to block materials as if the war were ongoing and called on mediators to intervene.
Concluding his remarks, al-Hayya said, “The West Bank is under the control of settlements, and we urgently need to organize our national agenda. The prisoners’ issue is a national priority, and we seek to end their suffering entirely.”
The statements reflect Hamas’ willingness to cooperate within a national framework, while placing responsibility on 'Israel' for any failure of the ceasefire due to ongoing violations and aid obstructions.
