By Afshain Afzal

During the general discussion, certain points remained unexplained due to the level of understanding of the interpreter. However, a communication is being attributed to Hamas leadership in Exile for peace in the Middle East. The same could not be confirmed by Mashaal or one other leader. As per reports, not from original sources, Hamas leadership confirmed that they had no role in the attack on the dance and music festival at Kibbutz Re’im, Israel, and the following agreed steps are required towards world peace, effective between the Palestinian authority and Israel: - 1) Complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces to positions pre-7th October 2023; 2) Demarcation of boundaries of Palestine as of 1918 – 1946; 3) Demarcation of boundaries of Israeli and Palestinian territories as per UN plan of November 1947; 4) Demarcation of Palestinian maritime boundaries and zones in the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, on the basis of UN plan of 1947, the International Maritime Law and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); 5) Framing of all pending issues, and 6) Resolution and final agreement between Israel and Palestine, followed by final recognitions.

In addition, there was a demand for the restoration of water, food, fuel, medicine, electricity, and communication. In another, the statement by Hamas said, “We demand red lines already announced including, occupied Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque as the third holiest site will not be dishonored by Israeli raids into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, desecrating and attacking Muslims offering prayers. More so, additional clarifications have been issued:- 1) We do not have women and children as captives and the only foreigners held captive on the suspicion of being foreign agents, were released during the early days of an Israeli attack on Gaza; 2) Our prisoners; dozens of captured Israeli officers and soldiers, are secured in safe place expect the in a bombing by the Israelis; 3) They have been secured in safe places and resistance tunnels are not there; 4) Media should be allowed in Gaza to report transparency and accountability.

There is no doubt that the Israeli intelligence agency Shen Beth and Mossad’s self-engineered the 7th October attacks.  As there is hope for peace in the Middle East, the United Nations must contact with Hamas political authority in Gaza as the official representative of Palestinians, especially in Gaza and Israeli territories, and work on the implementation of UNO Partition Plan dated 29 November 1947. We must not miss this opportunity for peace.