HAMAS LEADER SAYS ISRAELI PARTIES WILL USE GAZA BLOOD FOR ELECTION

Hamas's leader, Khalil al-Hayya, said Israeli politicians would use the "blood" of Palestinians as campaign material ahead of Israel's forthcoming election. In an interview with the Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Araby on Saturday, he said Palestinians had "suffered at the hands of all Israeli parties" regardless of who holds power in Israel. He said: "We absolutely refuse to allow the blood, suffering and cause of the Palestinian people to serve as fuel for Israeli elections." Al-Hayya added that the priority for Palestinians was to achieve their "goals, aspirations and legitimate rights". He also said Hamas was ready to engage with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to "achieve genuine unity".

The remarks come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to remain in power in a tight contest ahead of Israel's general election. Al-Hayya did not single out any particular Israeli politician or party, saying instead that Palestinians had suffered under "all Israeli parties" regardless of which one governs. His statement on Abbas offered no further detail on timing or the format of any proposed unity talks. Al-Hayya framed Hamas's position as rejecting any link between the Gaza war and Israeli electoral politics. Al-Araby, a Qatar-based television station, broadcast the interview on Saturday.

The election is scheduled for 27 October, when voters will decide whether Netanyahu remains in office. Al-Hayya's comments suggest Hamas wants to separate the Gaza war from Israeli domestic political calculations, while signalling possible engagement with Abbas over Palestinian unity. Hamas has not confirmed a date or venue for any talks with Abbas. Hamas has not set out what "genuine unity" would involve in practice.