Key Takeaways
- Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya says Israel will campaign on Gaza's 'blood' despite upcoming elections.
- Netanyahu and Eisenkot are in a tight contest for the October 27 elections.
- Hamas offers to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis.
The leader of Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya, dismissed the possibility of a change in Israel's policies following the upcoming elections, stating that Israelis would campaign on Gaza's 'blood'.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently locked in a tight race against Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, for the October 27 elections.
Netanyahu has vowed not to withdraw troops from Gaza and has rejected a US-led peace initiative, which Hamas has agreed to, but Israel views with scepticism.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, has displaced the entire population, damaged or destroyed most buildings, and killed over 73,900 people, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Hamas is working on an alliance with Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah figure, to form a unified national front, despite Abbas's requirement for all candidates to accept the Palestine Liberation Organisation's platform.
Hayya expressed readiness to sit down with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to lay the foundations for a national program and achieve genuine unity.
Hamas has offered to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis, who have been carrying out attacks against the kingdom since July.
The Palestinian Authority has scheduled a legislative election for November 28, which would be the first in two decades, though there are doubts about its implementation.
Hamas won the last election in 2006, defeating Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah, and has since been ruling Gaza, with Abbas based in the West Bank.
Whether this or that person comes to power, or this party or another — our people have suffered at the hands of all Israeli parties.
Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas leader
We are ready to sit down with President Abbas to lay the foundations for a national program and achieve genuine unity.
Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas leader
