Hamas official criticizes Oslo Accords on 33rd anniversary

Hamas official Ali Baraka, head of the National Relations Department, issued a statement marking the 33rd anniversary of the Oslo Accords. Baraka asserted that the agreement has failed to provide freedom, independence, or security for the Palestinian people, nor has it ended the occupation or guaranteed the right of return for refugees.

Baraka claimed that instead of facilitating a Palestinian state, the accords have been used by Israeli governments to expand illegal settlements, advance annexation, and create new facts on the ground. He noted that the West Bank has been transformed into fragmented cantons due to settlement policies, while Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque face increasing pressure from Judaization efforts.

Regarding the current situation, Baraka highlighted the ongoing destruction, blockade, and famine in the Gaza Strip. He criticized the Oslo Accords for strengthening security coordination and weakening the Palestinian national position rather than serving as the intended five-year transition to statehood.

Finally, Baraka called for the reconstruction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) based on democratic and national foundations. He advocated for free, fair, and direct elections that include all Palestinian components, both inside and outside the territories, to ensure national interests are prioritized over narrow political interests.