‘I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas,’ socialist New York City mayoral candidate says
Socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani repeatedly refused to say Hamas should disarm as part of the Trump-brokered ceasefire deal in Gaza, telling Fox News he does not “have opinions about the future” of the terrorist group.
Fox News host Martha MacCallum twice asked Mamdani whether Hamas “should lay down their weapons” and leave political leadership roles in Gaza, a crucial component of President Donald Trump’s peace plan. MacCallum noted that “Hamas is killing Palestinians inside Gaza” as part of a campaign of retribution against its critics in the strip.
“I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety, and the fact that anything has to abide by international law,” said Mamdani. “And that applies to Hamas, that applies to the Israeli military.”
While Mamdani says he’s indifferent about Hamas’s future, he’s offered plenty of opinions about Israel and what he claims is a “genocidal war” waged in Gaza. “Peace must be achieved through diplomacy, not war crimes,” Mamdani said on the second anniversary of Oct. 7.
Mamdani has drawn scrutiny for refusing to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada,” a call for terrorism against Jews. Mamdani is running against former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race.
Hamas has demanded its own rivals disarm as it carries out ritual executions in Gaza, according to the Financial Times, which reported that Hamas recently called on “all rivals [to] lay down their weapons within 48 hours and surrender their leaders.” Masked Hamas fighters affiliated with the groups Arrow Unit, an internal security force, were seen on video rounding up Gazans suspected of collaborating with Israel.
Hamas has also violated parts of the ceasefire deal, putting the prospect of long-term peace in jeopardy. The deal, spearheaded by the Trump administration, called on Hamas to release all hostages taken during Oct. 7, including the bodies of deceased hostages. Hamas released all 20 living hostages on Monday but has failed to release many of the deceased hostages.
President Donald Trump has called on Hamas to lay down its weapons or face more violence.
“Hamas will disarm, or we will disarm them,” he said on Tuesday.
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