Watan-Head of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, revealed the movement’s stance on the possibility of an Israeli army invasion of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza Strip, as well as the future of Gaza administration.

Haniyeh warned, in a conversation with Anadolu Agency, against the Israeli army’s invasion of Rafah, while affirming the readiness of the resistance factions on the ground.

“If the Israeli enemy decides to go to Rafah, our Palestinian people will not raise the white flag, and the resistance is ready to defend itself and confront aggression,” he said.

Haniyeh commented on Israeli statements regarding the imminent invasion of Rafah, saying, “It is very clear that the Israeli enemy has a decision to invade every point, every place, and every city in Gaza, especially since it has been talking about Rafah for months.”

He also spoke about Washington’s position on the invasion, saying: “The American position is deceptive, and their talk about needing to see plans to avoid harming civilians is nothing but deception.”

Haniyeh justified this by saying, “All civilians killed in Gaza were martyred by American weapons, rockets, and American political cover.”

He added, “When Washington stands inside the Security Council and resorts to the veto power against the decision to cease fire… What does that mean? It means that the United States fully supports the continuation of killing and massacre against Gaza. And when Washington yesterday vetoed considering Palestine a full member of the United Nations, it means that it adopts the Israeli position and stands against the rights of the Palestinian people.”

Haniyeh emphasized, “We did not fall into this trap… the trap of deception and the so-called swapping of roles between the Americans and the Israelis… We warn against entering Rafah, because this may cause a major massacre against our Palestinian people.”

Call for cessation of aggression

Haniyeh called on Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and all relevant European countries and others, to act to stop the Israeli aggression and prevent entry into Rafah, and even the necessity of complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and ending the aggression.

Haniyeh said, “If the Israeli enemy decides to go to Rafah, then our Palestinian people will also not raise the white flag, and the resistance in Rafah is also ready to defend itself, confront aggression, and protect itself and its people.”

Future of Gaza administration

In a related context, Haniyeh discussed what will happen to the administration of the Gaza Strip after the end of the Israeli war, saying: “There are options and alternatives proposed with the presence of an Arab force, for example, called some countries.”

He added, “We welcome any Arab or Islamic force if its mission is to support our Palestinian people and help them liberate from occupation (Israel), but if an Arab or international force comes to provide protection for the occupation, it is definitely rejected.”

He pointed out that there are alternatives proposed but they are not practical and cannot succeed, emphasizing that the Gaza administration must be made by Palestinian will.

Haniyeh said, “Let us organize the Palestinian house at two levels, the leadership level within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization so that the PLO is rebuilt to include all factions.”

He added that the second level is forming a national government for the West Bank and Gaza, with three tasks: overseeing reconstruction (in Gaza), unifying institutions in the West Bank and the Strip, and preparing for general presidential and legislative elections.

Meeting between Erdogan and Haniyeh

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Haniyeh at the “Dolmabahce Palace” in Istanbul, discussing the Israeli aggression on Palestinian territories.

According to a statement issued by the Turkish presidency, Erdogan assured Haniyeh that Turkey continues its diplomatic efforts to draw attention of the international community to the injustice faced by the Palestinians, emphasizing the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire and an end to brutal acts.