Hamas Leader: 'We Gave Up Ruling Gaza' And Will Participate in Palestinian Elections

Senior Hamas official Hussam Badran said the terror group intends to participate in elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council scheduled for November 28, 2026, despite opposition from several Western countries.

Badran stressed that Hamas has no intention of withdrawing from any election and said the group's decision to participate is based on what he described as the right of every Palestinian to take part in the political process.

Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya, Badran said Hamas also wants to prevent any single faction from maintaining a monopoly over Palestinian decision-making. He insisted that the group's participation in elections should not be interpreted as an effort to seize control of the Palestinian government.

Badran claimed that Hamas has "given up ruling Gaza," Saying that while the terror organization wants representation in the Palestinian Legislative Council, it "does not want to rule."

He said that Hamas would accept the choice of the Palestinian people and honor the results of the elections. According to Badran, the group is also seeking discussions with other factions with the goal of forming electoral alliances.

The Hamas official called for a system of collective leadership within the Palestinian Legislative Council, arguing that Hamas' participation would not mean the terror group intends to take control of the government. Instead, he said, Hamas is seeking a role in jointly shaping Palestinian political decisions.

Hamas previously contested the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, winning a majority of seats. The following year, Hamas violently seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, ousting forces loyal to the Palestinian Authority.