Hamas’s political leader outside Gaza, Khaled Meshaal, has offered assurances that the group would take measures to curb any future attacks on Israel from the besieged Palestinian enclave, but added that surrendering its weapons would be like “removing the soul” from the group.In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic’s Mawazin, to be aired on Wednesday evening, the Hamas political chief laid out the group’s positions on key issues amid rising concern that momentum on ceasefire talks may fade as the first phase draws to a conclusion.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemsend of listHamas said on Tuesday that the ceasefire cannot move forward if Israel continues its violations of the agreement, with authorities saying the truce has been breached at least 738 times since taking effect on October 10.Meshaal also told Al Jazeera that Hamas would not accept a non-Palestinian governing authority for Gaza, amid speculation over the makeup of United States President Donald Trump’s so-called “board of peace”, which has been floated as a possible alternative to Hamas’s rule since 2006.The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair‘s candidacy to the board had been ruled out, following opposition from several Arab and Muslim states.Blair is heavily tarnished for his key role in the 2003 invasion and subsequent occupation and devastation of the US-led war in Iraq, as well as his failed role as Quartet envoy to the Middle East.Hamas had already voiced its objection to Blair’s inclusion in September, with its official Husam Badran calling him “an unwelcome figure” and “an ominous sign”. “He has brought no good to the Palestinian cause, nor to Arabs or Muslims, and his c …
