On Jan. 23, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, delivered a lengthy statement to a group of journalists at his home, with Al-Monitor in attendance, covering developments on the Palestinian front, but mainly focusing on the possibility of convening a national Palestinian conference to develop a strategic response to US-Israeli policy on the Palestinian issue. Haniyeh said that the conference should be open to all Palestinian forces and suggested that it be held in an Arab country. He believes it could lead to an agreement for reconciling the positions and strategies of the various Palestinian factions in terms of their politics and resistance.
Of note, it remains the case that Fatah seeks nonviolent popular resistance against Israel, while Hamas considers armed military resistance as the only option in confronting Israel. Yet others seek to adopt a mix of methods. The disparities in positions have weakened the Palestinians' position. It appears that Hamas is hoping to hash out and unite strategies and positions through the proposed conference.
