The head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yehya al-Sinwar, said that his movement would not return to the rule of the Gaza Strip, and will not be part of the division anymore. He added during his meeting with a number of civil society organizations in Gaza, that Hamas’ decision in this regard is “strategic and irreversible.” “The movement will withdraw from the scene of division forever,” he stated. “The Palestinian division has harmed Hamas as a resistance movement and harmed us as a people; it has severely damaged the liberation project; therefore, division must end forever regardless of the circumstances and the prices that we must pay,” Sinwar added. The head of Hamas in Gaza stressed that his movement has made concessions and was ready “to move forward.” He warned, however, of the failure to achieve reconciliation, saying: “We fear that if the current reconciliation failed, division will prevail for many years.” Sinwar went on to say that the continuation of the present situation would lead to disastrous results, and therefore “Hamas will not be part of this devastating scene.” He underlined the need to speed up the reconciliation process in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. “What Trump has done is a real opportunity to overcome all obstacles” towards reconciliation, he said.