“The worst is yet to come. Now is political mediation»- Corriere.it

From our correspondent
Ashkelon – We are in a dangerous time. Israel responds to what it describes as a random attack launched by Hamas against their civilian citizens And in a more random way against Gaza. It creates risks of war with Egypt and in Lebanon with Hezbollah. But worse than that We do not see a political solutionThere is no possibility for peace, says Ghassan Al-Khatib (70 years old) from his office in Ramallah. A former minister in Yasser Arafat’s government He now holds the position of head of the West Bank Media Center.

The worst is yet to come?

Certainly, and also because I reject the triumphalist narrative according to which the new wave of war would have been generated by a terrorist attack. we Immersed in a constant cycle of violence and counter-violence
And In the context of the Israeli occupation, which has become increasingly brutal and dangerous in recent years under the Netanyahu government, a combination of Religious fanatics and xenophobic nationalistsCommitted to the oppression and abuse of the Palestinian population.

But Hamas committed heinous crimes. How can we destroy it and start talking to each other again?

It is not possible to calm tensions by systematically resorting to force. We must remember that the root of the problem still existsThe Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories: Only mediation and politics can search for a compromise, otherwise the violence will deteriorate further.

What do you think of the plan to eliminate Hamas and hand over administration of Gaza to Abu Mazen’s government?

They are stupid. No Palestinian leader will take power in Gaza on board an Israeli tank.

Biden reiterates that we need to relaunch the idea of ​​peace between the two countries.

The peace-for-land solution has become unworkable because Israel has continued to build and expand settlements in the middle of areas that were supposed to form the heart of the Palestinian state. If the United States pushes for its dismantling, the solution will be back on the table.

Do you think Biden is ready to do this?

No, I don’t think so. We see this in light of the White House’s support for Israeli military responses.

The Israelis declare that they will eliminate Hamas.

They can do this only if they return to fully occupying Gaza, as they did It was before 2005. But if they enter Gaza to kill and destroy before they withdraw, Hamas will quickly rise from the ashes.

Hamas ISIS?

incorrect. They are two completely different movements.

Hamas wants to destroy Israel?

bloomer. It is known that its leaders have said in the past that they are ready for this Truce to truce to negotiate.

But didn’t Hamas suicide bombers boycott peace while it was still possible in the 1990s?

I will not confuse consequences with causes. It was the growth of Jewish colonies during the negotiation of the Oslo Accords that inspired jihadist terrorism. My 1993 polls indicated so 80% of Palestinians support peace.

Do you condemn the brutal killing of civilians by Hamas?

I condemn, without reservation, that civilians should not be killed.