Developments Following October 7th Attacks

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera on August 2, 2025, Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas Politburo, discussed the shift in global perceptions regarding the Palestinian state, attributing it largely to the events of October 7th. He emphasized that weapons are central to the Palestinian struggle, stating that the mindset around this issue is widespread among all Palestinians, not just Hamas. He expressed that halting the use of weapons by Hamas would signify abandoning the Palestinian cause, firmly noting, “Israel can dream of giving up our weapons to it.” Hamad maintained that Palestinians are not engaging in illegal or terrorist activities, and argued that prior to October 7th, many countries were hesitant to recognize Palestinian statehood. However, he believes the attacks compelled the international community to reconsider its stance, and he remarked that the events “unmasked” Israel, leading to global protests in places like the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, which he claims depict Israeli actions as genocide. Hamad concluded that the challenges of overcoming Israel were less daunting than he had previously thought.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar commented that the recognition of the Palestinian state by France, Britain, and Canada last month at the UN General Assembly played a role in what he termed Hamas’ “victory.”

Hamas seems to be buoyed by the escalating international criticism of Israel. This atmosphere has complicated negotiations regarding the release of the remaining 50 Israeli hostages, of whom 20 are reportedly still alive.

Additionally, Hamas released a video showing an Israeli hostage in distress, reportedly struggling with hunger and forced to consume his own supplies.

In contrast, President Donald Trump has dismissed the idea of recognizing a Palestinian state, labeling it a “reward for fear.”