Former Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Steye referred to Hamas’ October 7 attack as a “significant turning point” in the Palestinian struggle, labeling it a “bold and unprecedented action.” He urged the Palestinian Liberation Organization to collaborate with other Palestinian leadership.
In a July 29th interview on the Mazeej Podcast with Al Arabia, Steye’s comments came amidst discussions about major European nations, including France, the UK, and Canada, planning to recognize Palestinian statehood next month. Critics argue this could be seen as endorsing terrorism and are examining Hamas’ tactics of leveraging mass violence for diplomatic gain.
Steye, who held the position of prime minister from 2019 to 2024, expressed a supportive view of the October 7 incident, which resulted in nearly 1,200 Israeli deaths, primarily civilians. While he called the operation “brave,” he also noted that it might have been a tactical misstep, implying that Hamas didn’t adequately consider the implications for Gaza’s civilian population.
“October 7 was a brave and unprecedented operation. It is really a notable moment in the history of Palestinian struggle,” Steye stated.
However, he cautioned, “We need to reflect on where this leads us. No one just leaps into the unknown without considering the consequences. If you do, you might land hard and get hurt.”
Some former Palestinian officials criticized Hamas for prioritizing the safety of its members hiding in tunnels instead of considering civilian consequences, describing it as a “miscalculation” despite acknowledging the audacity of the attack.
“The adventurous approach must consider its repercussions, as Hamas seems more focused on protecting its members. Therefore, October 7 can, in essence, be regarded as a miscalculation,” remarked [Musa] Abu Marzouk.
In his interview, Steye suggested a potential alignment with Hamas’ tactics, revealing that even Palestinian Authority officials recognized Hamas’ violent strategy, advocating for a unification of Palestinian factions under a single militant front. He proposed consultations between the PLO and Hamas to determine the desire for a “Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.”
“We seek to reach an agreement with Hamas regarding our objectives,” Steye explained. “It’s impossible for one side to seek peace while the other pursues war. We must be united.”
Steye’s comments represent a significant shift, as he invited Hamas to join the PLO without any conditions, suggesting that such groups could “transform their political stance from within” instead of needing to renounce extremist ideologies beforehand.
“We are not demanding anything from Hamas; there’s no requirement for them to recognize Israel. We only ask that they join the PLO,” he said, emphasizing that Hamas could become a part of the PLO and reformulate its political agenda from inside.
The timing of Steye’s remarks is critical, coinciding with European nations advocating for Palestinian state recognition through the very Palestinian Authority he once led. The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has indicated a desire to recognize a Palestinian state, while Israeli officials have cautioned that this could reward terrorism.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued warnings to European leaders that, under present conditions, a Palestinian state might effectively become “Hamastan,” asserting that “Israel is not Czechoslovakia in the 21st century.”
President Donald Trump previously imposed sanctions on the Palestinian Authority, preventing its officials from participating in a planned recognition event at the UN set for September.
Recent surveys indicate that support among Israelis for a two-state solution has dropped to a historic low of 21%. Meanwhile, 80% back Trump’s proposal for relocating individuals to Gaza. These findings suggest that the events of October 7 have notably shifted Israeli public perceptions regarding Palestinian intentions and the possibility for peaceful coexistence.
Steye’s description of the October 7 incident as a “courageous and unparalleled operation,” signaling “an important juncture” in the Palestinian narrative, resonates with sentiments from Hamas leadership. Recently, Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas official, praised the attack for compelling the West to engage with the Palestinian issue, claiming that “October 7” forced the international community to confront the Palestinian cause.
Amidst this backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined five principles for Gaza’s post-conflict governance, which were established in partnership with President Trump. Netanyahu’s plan insists that “Hamas must disarm,” Gaza must be “demilitarized,” hostages “must be released,” Israel will maintain “overall security,” and Gaza “must be governed by a non-hostile civilian authority.”
Netanyahu expressed his reluctance to govern Gaza, stating that the IDF is preparing to dismantle Hamas’ power to pave the way for new leadership. He hopes for a peaceful coexistence with Israel and believes in a governance approach that offers Gazans a brighter future. He remains doubtful about the Palestinian Authority as a viable alternative, furthered by the divisions exposed by the October 7 violence and Steye’s calls for the PLO’s openness towards Hamas.
