Hamas welcomes reports of Tony Blair's removal from Gaza peace council

Hamas official Taher Al-Nunu said reports claiming former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair may be removed from a proposed Gaza peace council would mark “a step in the right direction.”

He confirmed that Hamas had urged mediators to exclude Blair because of his “blatant bias towards the occupation.”

Read more: Tony Blair dropped from Trump’s Gaza “board of peace”

Al-Nunu stated that the movement is “ready for a long-term truce” as long as 'Israel' upholds the terms of a full ceasefire.

- Rejection of forced disarmament -

The Hamas leader reiterated the group’s stance on security, stressing that “the issue of an international force disarming the resistance by force is rejected and has never been discussed.” He said the movement has not received clarity on the framework or mandate of any potential international presence in the Gaza Strip.

“We do not believe that any country would agree to participate in a force whose tasks include disarming Gaza by force,” he added.

- Governance proposal and technocratic committee -

Al-Nunu announced that Hamas is prepared “to immediately hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to an independent national committee of technocrats.” He said the proposal originated from Egypt after the Palestinian Authority declined to assume responsibility for the territory.

He added that the movement views the resistance’s weapons as part of the future Palestinian state’s arsenal once that state is established.

- Warning over Netanyahu’s regional ambitions -

Al-Nunu concluded by warning that the ambitions of 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “extend beyond the borders of Palestine and threaten the countries of the region.”