In a significant shift in tone, Khaled Mechaal, the head of Hamas’s political bureau abroad, announced on Wednesday that the movement is prepared to accept the deployment of international forces along the border between the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied territories—provided such forces do not enter Gaza itself.
Mechaal made the comments during an interview with Al Jazeera in Doha, marking one of Hamas’s clearest public positions regarding potential security arrangements in the post-war landscape.
International Forces “Similar to UNIFIL”
“We have no objection to international stabilization forces at the border, like UNIFIL, to separate Gaza from the occupation,” Mechaal said, suggesting a mechanism long discussed in diplomatic circles but rarely embraced publicly by Hamas.
The idea of an international presence has resurfaced amid growing international efforts to establish a sustainable security framework that prevents renewed conflict in Gaza.
A Long-Term Truce in Exchange for Halting Weapon Use
In the same interview, Mechaal revealed that the movement is offering a proposal centered on freezing the use of its weapons in exchange for a long-term truce with Israel.
“We want to build a clear framework with guarantees that prevent a return of Israel’s war on Gaza,” he stated.
“We can preserve our weapons without using them or displaying them. At the same time, we have put forward the idea of a long-term truce that provides real guarantees.”
This marks one of the most explicit indications yet that Hamas may be willing to consider extended de-escalation measures—provided they come with verifiable assurances.
A Message to the International Community
Mechaal’s remarks appear directed not only at Israeli decision-makers but also at international mediators seeking a durable arrangement for Gaza’s stability. His statements may influence ongoing discussions about border security, governance, and post-war reconstruction, as negotiations continue amid a fragile and explosive situation on the ground.
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