Following statements by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who asserted that Israel funded the establishment of Hamas, Fatah Advisory Council member Osama Al-Ali emphasized that Hamas is clearly supported by both Iran and Israel. In an interview with "Al Arabiya" on Friday night, Al-Ali stated that "Hamas is a militia within Palestine that does not represent the state." He confirmed that Hamas would not leave Gaza unless compelled to do so, adding that "the people of Gaza alone decide who governs them." He mentioned that "Israel will not leave Gaza for at least two more years."
"We have pursued reconciliation repeatedly," he revealed, noting that "we left Gaza voluntarily to avoid a civil war." He affirmed that "the negotiation process with Israel has not failed."
Regarding Borrell's comments, he highlighted that the EU official stated earlier in a speech at the University of Valladolid that "yes, the Israeli government funded Hamas to try to weaken the Palestinian Authority led by Fatah." Borrell added that the only peaceful solution involves the establishment of a Palestinian state, stating, "We believe that imposing a two-state solution from the outside is the only way to achieve peace, despite Israel's insistence on opposing this solution."
Borrell's remarks come in stark contrast to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position, who denies these allegations. Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007 following a brief war with Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, who is based in the West Bank.
