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31 Jan 2026·Source: The Hindu
4 min
International RelationsPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Palestine Minister: Hamas Must Join PLO, Commit to Non-Violence

Palestine Minister urges Hamas to join PLO, embrace non-violence for independence.

Palestine Minister: Hamas Must Join PLO, Commit to Non-Violence

Photo by Ian Betley

Palestine's Foreign Minister, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, stated that Hamas should join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and commit to non-violence to achieve independence for an undivided Palestine. Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Shahin emphasized that Hamas needs to subscribe to the PLO's mandate, which includes recognizing the state of Israel. The PLO serves as the umbrella organization for all Palestinian factions, and any group seeking to participate in the Palestinian political structure must join it. Ms. Shahin highlighted the need for unity between Gaza and the West Bank, advocating for peace and non-violence to achieve liberation and independence. She reported that the conflict in Gaza has resulted in at least 72,000 Palestinian deaths, 1,72,000 injuries, and 15,000-20,000 missing persons. She also accused Israel of using water and food as weapons of war, leading to malnutrition. Ms. Shahin met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and requested India's assistance in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, noting that 85% of its infrastructure, including Indian-assisted schools, has been destroyed. She also called for adherence to UNSC Resolution 2803 and emphasized the right of self-determination for the Palestinian people.

Key Facts

1.

Hamas should join PLO: Palestine Minister

2.

PLO mandate includes: Recognition of Israel

3.

Gaza conflict deaths: At least 72,000 Palestinians

4.

Gaza infrastructure destroyed: 85%

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper 2: International Relations - Impact of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests.

2.

GS Paper 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.

3.

Potential for questions on the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the role of the PLO, and India's stance on the issue.

Visual Insights

Gaza Strip: Humanitarian Crisis and Infrastructure Damage (January 2026)

This map highlights the Gaza Strip, focusing on the reported infrastructure damage and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. It shows the location of Gaza and the surrounding region, emphasizing the impact of the conflict.

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📍Gaza Strip📍West Bank📍Israel
More Information

Background

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed in 1964 with the goal of liberating Palestine through armed struggle. It initially rejected the existence of Israel. Over time, particularly after the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PLO recognized Israel and committed to a negotiated settlement.

This shift led to internal divisions, especially with groups like Hamas, which continued to advocate for armed resistance. The PLO's structure includes the Palestine National Council (PNC), the Central Council, and the Executive Committee. The PNC acts as the parliament-in-exile, representing Palestinians worldwide.

The Oslo Accords established the Palestinian Authority (PA) as an interim self-governing body in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, under the PLO's leadership. However, the PA's authority has been challenged by Hamas, particularly after Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and subsequently took control of Gaza in 2007.

Latest Developments

In recent years, reconciliation efforts between Fatah (the dominant faction within the PLO) and Hamas have repeatedly failed. Egypt and other regional actors have attempted to mediate between the two groups, but deep divisions remain over issues such as security control in Gaza and the future of the PA. The Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states, have further complicated the Palestinian issue, sidelining the traditional Arab consensus that normalization should only occur after a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened an investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories, which has been opposed by Israel and the United States. The future of the two-state solution remains uncertain, with continued Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and the ongoing blockade of Gaza posing significant obstacles.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): 1. The PLO was established with the primary goal of liberating Palestine through armed struggle. 2. The Oslo Accords marked a shift in the PLO's stance, leading to its recognition of Israel. 3. Hamas has been a consistent and active member of the PLO since its inception. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The PLO was indeed formed in 1964 with the initial aim of liberating Palestine through armed struggle. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The Oslo Accords in 1993 led to the PLO recognizing Israel and committing to a negotiated settlement. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: Hamas, formed in 1987, has not been a consistent member of the PLO. It has often been in conflict with the PLO, particularly after winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and taking control of Gaza in 2007. Hamas has never fully subscribed to the PLO's recognition of Israel.

2. Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of the Palestinian Authority (PA)?

  • A.It is the governing body of all Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank, with full sovereignty.
  • B.It was established as an interim self-governing body in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip following the Oslo Accords.
  • C.It is solely responsible for the military defense of Palestinian territories against external threats.
  • D.It is an organization primarily focused on providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.
Show Answer

Answer: B

Option B is correct: The Palestinian Authority (PA) was established as an interim self-governing body in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip following the Oslo Accords in the 1990s. It does not have full sovereignty over all Palestinian territories. Option A is incorrect because the PA does not govern all Palestinian territories and lacks full sovereignty. Option C is incorrect because the PA does not have a military for defense. Option D is incorrect because while the PA does provide some humanitarian aid, its primary role is governance.

3. Assertion (A): Palestine's Foreign Minister has stated that Hamas should join the PLO and commit to non-violence to achieve independence for an undivided Palestine. Reason (R): The PLO serves as the umbrella organization for all Palestinian factions and requires its members to recognize the state of Israel. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • C.A is true, but R is false.
  • D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. The Foreign Minister's statement (A) is directly linked to the PLO's role as the umbrella organization (R), which requires adherence to its mandate, including recognizing Israel and committing to non-violence. This is why Hamas joining the PLO is contingent on these conditions.

4. Which of the following UN Security Council resolutions is directly related to the Palestinian right to self-determination, as emphasized by Palestine's Foreign Minister?

  • A.UNSC Resolution 242
  • B.UNSC Resolution 338
  • C.UNSC Resolution 2803
  • D.UNSC Resolution 1860
Show Answer

Answer: C

UNSC Resolution 2803 is the resolution mentioned in the news article. While the specific content of this resolution needs to be verified, the context indicates it is related to Palestinian rights, potentially including self-determination. UNSC Resolution 242 calls for withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from occupied territories and a just settlement of the refugee problem. UNSC Resolution 338 calls for a ceasefire in the Yom Kippur War. UNSC Resolution 1860 concerns the situation in Gaza.

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