Hamas official claims his startling claim regarding recognition of Israel was a mistake

A senior  Hamas official on Thursday backed away from an earlier, groundbreaking comment that Hamas could recognize the state of Israel and that Israelis should have their rights but it should not be at the cost of Palestinians or other groups.

Mousa Abu Marzouk cited a “misunderstanding of media statements” a day after he told the Washington-based Al-Monitor that Hamas could switch its position on Israel in an effort to join the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. The PLO, a coalition of Palestinian factions, recognised the Israeli state more than 30 years ago.

Hamas, since its inception in 1987, has called for armed resistance and elimination of Israel.

Abu Marzouk, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote, “I confirm that the Hamas movement does not recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli occupation, and does not accept giving up any of the rights of our Palestinian people.” He continued that the resistance will go on until liberation.

During the interview with Al-Monitor, Abu Marzouk defended the attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, which had killed more than 1,200 Israelis. However, he did admit that abducting women and children was “a mistake.”