Latest news with #BasemNaim
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Hamas Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Take Israeli Threats Seriously, Gaza Already Occupied
Hamas said on Wednesday it was taking Israeli threats to reoccupy Gaza 'very seriously,' as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to present a controversial plan to his war cabinet that could see the army retake control of the battered Palestinian enclave nearly 10 months into the war. A senior Hamas official told Asharq Al-Awsat the group was closely watching Israeli military and political maneuvers amid speculation that Netanyahu may use the reoccupation proposal to appease far-right allies and ramp up pressure on Hamas to soften its demands in ceasefire negotiations. 'The occupation has already been in control of Gaza by land, sea and air,' said Dr. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau in Gaza. 'Israel has invaded every inch of the Strip over the past 22 months and failed to achieve any of its goals. What more can it do beyond more killing, hunger and destruction?' Netanyahu is expected to present the reoccupation plan to the security cabinet on Thursday and will ask military chief Eyal Zamir to lay out operational options. But Zamir reportedly opposes full-scale reoccupation, favoring limited incursions and a strategy of isolating Hamas strongholds while avoiding harm to Israeli hostages still believed to be held in Gaza. Israeli forces have already fought in most areas of Gaza since the war began in October 2023. Troops currently remain in parts of Gaza City's eastern suburbs, including Shujaiya, Zeitoun, and Tuffah, where heavy shelling and destruction have displaced tens of thousands. On Wednesday, new evacuation orders were issued for residents in areas west of Khan Younis and parts of southern Gaza City, including Sabra and the southern portion of Zeitoun. Israel instructed civilians to move to al-Mawasi, a declared 'humanitarian zone' that has nonetheless been repeatedly targeted during the conflict. Hebrew-language media reported that the Israeli military is considering a fresh ground push into the western parts of Gaza City – areas now teeming with displaced civilians from the north and east of the Strip. The Israeli army has already carried out multiple raids into those areas, heavily damaging civilian infrastructure, including the Shifa Medical Complex. Israel has also threatened to expand its operations into central Gaza, particularly the refugee camps where only limited ground raids have occurred so far. Much of the rest of the region has been subject to sustained aerial and artillery bombardment. A Hamas official inside Gaza, speaking on condition of anonymity, accused Israel of rehashing failed policies under the guise of a new military strategy. 'If Israel intends to reoccupy Gaza now, what has it been doing all along?' the official asked. 'This only confirms the failure of its military campaign despite Netanyahu's claims that victory is near.' 'We do not respond to threats based on media narratives. We act according to battlefield conditions,' he added. 'If they want an open-ended war, we are ready. If they want negotiations, we are also open to talks to spare our people further suffering.' The official accused Israel of pursuing a scorched-earth campaign aimed at erasing all aspects of life in Gaza: 'The occupation does nothing but kill people and destroy stone.' The reoccupation threats come amid growing signs that Netanyahu's push may be partly aimed at placating far-right cabinet members and partly designed to pressure Hamas back to the negotiating table. 'There are no contacts to resume talks at the moment,' said Naim, who is involved in Hamas's negotiations over a possible ceasefire and hostage deal. 'All we hear are threats of further escalation.' He said Hamas submitted its latest proposal to mediators two weeks ago and was still waiting for an official Israeli response. 'We told mediators that there is no point in negotiating under famine and death,' he said. Sources in Hamas and other Palestinian factions told Asharq Al-Awsat that communication with mediators had continued but yielded 'no significant breakthrough' that could revive stalled talks. According to those sources, US backing for Netanyahu's hardline stance has further complicated efforts to reach a deal. 'The American-Israeli position raises serious doubts about their intention to conclude any agreement, despite public statements claiming concern for the hostages' release,' one source said. Humanitarian Toll Mounts Meanwhile, Gaza's humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. The strip's health ministry said 138 Palestinians were killed and 771 wounded in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll since the war began to 61,158, with 151,442 wounded. Of those, 9,654 have died since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18 following a two-month pause in fighting. Deaths linked to hunger and malnutrition are also on the rise. The ministry reported five such fatalities on Tuesday, raising the total to 193, including 96 children, since October. Among those killed in recent days were dozens waiting for aid deliveries. The ministry said 87 bodies and 570 wounded had arrived at Gaza hospitals in the past 24 hours from among those awaiting humanitarian assistance. That brings the toll in that group alone to 1,655 killed and 11,800 injured since the end of May. Images from Gaza showed people weeping at funerals, others carrying water buckets under a scorching sun, and neighborhoods flattened by air strikes. Despite the worsening conditions, Israel insists its military operations will continue. For many Gazans, the threat of reoccupation is not just political theater – it's a grim extension of a war that shows no sign of ending.
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Hamas official accuses US Envoy Steve Witkoff of undermining peace deal
After nearly two years of war, the Israel–Hamas conflict appears to have reached a dangerous inflection point. Israel is threatening a broader military offensive — one that could include the full occupation of the Gaza Strip. Ceasefire talks have stalled, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening by the day. On this episode, we bring you an exclusive one-on-one interview with senior Hamas official Basem Naim to discuss the situation at the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid sites, why ceasefire negotiations have collapsed, whether Hamas would disarm in exchange for Israeli recognition of a Palestinian state, and — knowing what we know now — whether Hamas regrets the October 7th attacks.
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Exclusive Senior Hamas official accuses US envoy Witkoff of spoiling Gaza ceasefire efforts
A senior Hamas official has accused US envoy Steve Witkoff of repeatedly undermining efforts to reach a ceasefire between the Palestinian group and Israel in the war-torn Gaza Strip. In an exclusive interview on Al Arabiya English's Counterpoints program, Basem Naim claimed that Witkoff 'undermined a serious chance to reach a ceasefire agreement' on multiple occasions. Naim said Hamas had initially hoped that US President Donald Trump's stated desire to end wars globally would translate into concrete action in Gaza, but that such hope had been disappointed. 'Unfortunately, in our case, we have seen repeatedly that [the US is] backing the position of this fascist Israeli government – in all forms,' Naim said. 'Even, sometimes, if the cost or the price is to undermine a serious chance to reach a ceasefire.' He claimed there had been multiple moments when a truce was within reach but was derailed 'by one of those two parties – either the Israelis or the Americans.' Naim insisted that Hamas remains committed to negotiating a ceasefire – even a temporary one – as a step toward 'a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.'
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
No 10 could recognise Palestinian state with Hamas in power
Last week, a senior Hamas official welcomed the Prime Minister's promise to recognise Palestine, saying that 'victory and liberation are closer than we expected'. Basem Naim, a former minister in the terror group's government of Gaza, said: 'International support for Palestinian self-determination shows we are moving in the right direction.' The UK has had discussions with Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority, about how to reform the governance of Gaza as part of international efforts to end the conflict. Sir Keir was accused by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, of rewarding Hamas by promising to recognise a Palestinian state in the absence of a peace process. He was also criticised by hostage families, and one British hostage released earlier this year said that the Prime Minister's announcement amounted to 'rewarding terror'. Downing Street again failed to confirm whether the release of the hostages would be a precondition to recognition. The Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'We've always said that Hamas must release hostages unconditionally and immediately, that's been our long-standing demand. 'The Foreign Secretary has also been clear, Hamas are not the Palestinian people. 'It's always been our position that statehood is the inalienable right to the Palestinian people, and that's why we're focused on delivering a path towards long term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.' Last week, Hamas released a video of an emaciated Israeli hostage digging his own grave inside a small tunnel in Gaza. The Prime Minister's spokesman called the images 'completely abhorrent' and added: 'It underlines what the Prime Minister has previously said, including to hostage families, that Hamas must release all hostages immediately and unconditionally.'
Telegraph
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Hamas official: Recognising Palestine is a ‘victory'
A senior Hamas official has welcomed Sir Keir Starmer's promise to recognise Palestine, saying that 'victory and liberation are closer than we expected'. Basem Naim, formerly a minister in the terror group's government of Gaza, said: 'International support for Palestinian self-determination shows we are moving in the right direction.' It comes after Sir Keir was accused by Israel of rewarding Hamas by promising to recognise a Palestinian state in the absence of a peace process. On Wednesday, the prime minister also faced criticism from the families of hostages held by Hamas for failing to make their release a precondition to recognising Palestine. One British hostage freed earlier this year after 471 days in captivity said 'shame on you', in comments directed at Sir Keir, for 'rewarding terror'. 'This move does not advance peace—it risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns legitimacy,' Emily Damari said. 'By legitimising a state entity while Hamas still controls Gaza and continues its campaign of terror, you are not promoting a solution; you are prolonging the conflict. Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace. Shame on you.' Downing Street is now under growing pressure to explain its approach, with some warning that it incentivises Hamas to avoid a ceasefire by keeping hostages in order to secure recognition. On Tuesday, the UK Government said it would join France in declaring recognition at the UN General Assembly in September. Unlike Emmanuel Macron, Sir Keir said the UK would act unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, allowed the UN to restart aid supplies, committed to annexation in the West Bank, and to a long-term peace based on a two-state solution. The announcement was immediately condemned by Israel. Hamas yet to comment officially Dr Basem Naim, who served as minister for health in Gaza between 2007 and 2012, welcomed the move. 'A time will come when those who played a role in this glorious epic will take pride - in the history of our nation and our cause,' he wrote, referring to the current Gaza war, which has seen approximately 60,000 deaths - although the figures are disputed. Hamas has not yet commented officially. Dr Naim now lives in Turkey but remains close to the group, and his words risk fuelling claims that the UK government has emboldened Hamas by its promised declaration. Bring Them Home Now said: 'Recognising a Palestinian state while 50 hostages remain trapped in Hamas tunnels amounts to rewarding terrorism. Such recognition is not a step toward peace, but rather a clear violation of international law and a dangerous moral and political failure that legitimizes horrific war crimes. 'The abduction of men, women, and children, who are being held against their will in tunnels while subjected to starvation and physical and psychological abuse, cannot and should not serve as the foundation for establishing a state.' It added: 'Recognition of a Palestinian state before the hostages are returned will be remembered throughout history as validating terrorism as a legitimate pathway to political goals.' Adam Wagner KC, a barrister who has represented families of hostages taken by Hamas, said Sir Keir's plan 'risks delaying' the release of hostages. 'This is because the UK has said that it will recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel agrees a ceasefire,' he said. 'But the risk is that Hamas will continue to refuse to a ceasefire because if it agrees to one this would make U.K. recognition less likely. The Downing Street statement on Tuesday said Sir Keir had 'reiterated that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas and that our demands on Hamas remain, that they must release all the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, accept that they will play no role in the government of Gaza, and disarm'. However, these demands were not explicitly linked to the declaration of Palestinian statehood, meaning they do not need to happen for recognition to take place. Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, was repeatedly pressed on the point on Sky News on Wednesday morning, but would not say the release of the hostages by Hamas was a necessary step that had to be taken before recognition of Palestine. Ms Alexander said: 'We have always said right from day one that the hostages needed to be released. 'We're absolutely clear that Hamas is a vile terrorist organisation, it has committed heinous crimes and the wounds of October 7 will live forever in Israel and in the consciousness of the Israeli people. 'This isn't about Hamas. This is actually about delivering for the Palestinian people and making sure that we can get aid in.' The UK-based Campaign Against Antisemitism described Sir Keir's declaration as 'morally indefensible'. 'This announcement sends the worst possible message: that mass murder, rape, and hostage-taking are legitimate paths to diplomatic gain,' the group said. Hamas wants to destroy Israel entirely Eager to portray themselves as the legitimate voice of the Palestinian people, Hamas has a history of making statements intended to suggest that international condemnation of Israel amounts to support for its actions. However, proponents of a two-state solution, such as Britain, do not envisage a role for Hamas. The terror group wants to destroy Israel entirely. International hopes for a sustainable peace are mainly invested in the Palestinian Authority, based in Ramallah in the West Bank, which has formally accepted Israel's right to exist for decades and is an enemy of Hamas. In a significant move, the Arab League of 22 nations has this week put its weight behind a statement calling for Hamas to be disbanded and condemning its atrocity on October 7 2023, the first time many countries in the group have explicitly done so. 'In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State,' reads the declaration.
