The Israeli election results disappointed Palestinians, who see the right-wing’s March 17 victory as a former policy reinforced — one that involves halting negotiations, continuing to freeze Palestinians’ money and maintaining the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Hamas’ stance on Benjamin Netanyahu’s win was voiced by Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, who told Al-Monitor, “Hamas does not differentiate between Israeli parties because they have all agreed on denying our people’s rights and practicing aggression against them. The resistance is capable of imposing certain terms, and the occupation leaders, whoever they are, should evaluate their stances after their defeat in Gaza.”

Ismail Haniyeh, deputy chairman of Hamas’ political bureau, said March 19 that the Israeli elections did not surprise Hamas because of the Israelis’ religious and political nature, and he called on building a national strategy in response to it.

Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, told Al-Monitor, “Hamas will proceed with its project of armed resistance, regardless of who presides over the Israeli government. With Netanyahu’s victory, the anticipated collapse of the peace process affirms that the armed resistance’s approach is in the right place. Netanyahu’s victory indicates the Israeli society’s proneness to radicalism.”