Ismail Haniyeh, Head of Hamas Political Bureau, said that Hamas prefers to participate in the coming legislative elections under a unified list inclusive of the Palestinian political spectrum.

Haniyeh emphasized that Hamas adheres to three major principles: unity, partnership, and resistance.

He noted that the coming elections will be the gate for strengthening Palestinian political positions, especially at this time at which many Arab and regional parties seek to legitimize the Israeli occupation.

“The pillar on which Hamas relied to go for the elections is activating the role of the Palestinian people in the Palestinian democratic process and enhancing their right to elect their leadership inside of Palestine and in the diaspora,” Haniyeh stressed.

Meanwhile, he added: “We endeavour to rebuild the Palestinian Liberation Organisation on democratic bases and renew its affiliate bodies based on a partnership to be inclusive of all the Palestinian factions.”

The top Hamas official explained that the movement hopes for a unity government to be formed in which all the Palestinian factions would participate, even those unwilling to take part in the Palestinian vote.

Haniyeh underlined that "after the elections, Hamas wishes that the factions would agree on a comprehensive national strategy to resist the Israeli occupation and fulfil the aspirations of the Palestinian people in freedom and independence."