Hamas Leader Discusses Weapons and Support Among U.S. Youth

Khaled Machar, who leads Hamas abroad, recently spoke with Al Jazeera, asserting that “51 percent of American youth support Hamas and the Palestinian cause.” However, he didn’t specify where this statistic originated from or provide any evidence for it.

During the interview, Machar praised the attack on Israeli civilians that took place on October 7, 2023. He acknowledged the ongoing conflict in Gaza has been challenging for Palestinians, yet suggested the harm done was justified, as it revealed what he described as Israel’s true nature.

“Can you imagine the impact of the Palestine incident on young Americans and Europeans? This is a new form of resistance,” he exclaimed. “We’ve seen significant progress for the Palestinian cause among youth, on campuses, in political parties, and globally in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.”

Machar claimed, “The Zionist image has taken a hit—the Israel that once claimed to be a democratic bastion in the Middle East has shown its darker side.” He mentioned that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has been issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, framing Israel as the perpetrator in what he called a genocide.

Moreover, he explained that Hamas doesn’t plan to disarm completely. Instead of surrendering its weapons as part of an armistice, Hamas proposes to simply “freeze” them—essentially hiding or storing them away. “As we approach the next phase, there’s pressure from certain parties to disarm us. This is unacceptable,” he stated.

He outlined a vision for keeping weapons stored but not actively used or displayed. “We’re looking at a potential long-term ceasefire, maybe seven to ten years,” he noted. However, he expressed that disarming would be akin to “draining the soul” of Hamas, especially if Israel were to violate ceasefire agreements, which he believes has happened repeatedly.

Machar also criticized the concept of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza, stating that it would be seen as an occupation from the perspective of Palestinian culture. He concluded the interview with a firm declaration that Israel “will come to an end,” suggesting that historical patterns favor the Palestinian people’s resilience.

In response, an Israeli government official expressed skepticism about Hamas’ commitment to disarmament, declaring that there will be no future in which a militarized Hamas continues to govern Gaza. Officials also indicated that an International Stabilization Force might initiate demilitarization efforts next month, though specifics on the process and the handling of potential Hamas resistance remain unclear.