Hamas expressed its approval on Sunday regarding the acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood by the UK, Canada, and Australia, considering it a validation of their ongoing conflict against Israel.
Hamas stated, “This recognition is a significant step in upholding the rights of the Palestinian people concerning their land and holy sites, as well as affirming Jerusalem as the capital of an independent state,” as reported by a news source.
Hamas, which has long declared its intention to eliminate Israel, labeled the recognition as “a natural outcome of our people’s struggles,” demanding a halt to what it terms as “brutal genocide” in Gaza while stating that the declaration should lead to concrete actions.
According to a recent report, the UK, Canada, and Australia announced their recognition of Palestine, but faced criticism for seemingly rewarding the actions of Hamas, particularly in light of the attacks from October 7.
This decision sparked quick backlash from families of those still held captive by Palestinian militants following the violent events on October 7.
Muslim groups welcomed the acknowledgment from the three Western nations, despite the British Prime Minister’s assertion that it should not be considered a “reward” to Hamas. He noted that militant groups like Hamas need to relinquish control of Gaza for peace to be possible.
Additionally, the Prime Minister accused Jerusalem of escalating its military actions in Gaza. “The situation is unbearable. The death toll is rising, and many are suffering just to obtain food and water. It’s a dreadful reality,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that acknowledging a Palestinian state contradicts the isolation of Hamas in his recent comments.
Related: Insights from Texas Jewish law students on experiencing events in Israel on October 7
Analysts have noted that the recognition of a Palestinian state appears to be a tactic to pressure Israel into ceasing military operations in Gaza, especially as Hamas continues to hold 48 Israeli captives.
Israel has reportedly asked for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control to prevent future attacks.
In response to the announcements, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the international acknowledgment and asserted, “This will not occur. A Palestinian state in the area west of the Jordan River will not be established.”
There has yet to be any confirmation regarding the treatment of Israeli hostages or information about their current status.
