Mahmoud Mardawi, a leader of Hamas, vocally criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent decision to join the 'Peace Council.' He argued that this action contradicts the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and only serves to deepen distrust among Palestinians regarding Israel's intentions. Mardawi took to social media to express that Netanyahu's appointment to the council is more about legitimizing oppressive policies than fostering genuine peace.

Mardawi emphasized that political decisions cannot redefine fundamental rights and values, stating that justice and rights are immutable despite political circumstances. He implied that such political maneuvers only distract from the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinians. He asserted that as long as there is a demand for justice, the rights of the Palestinian people cannot be ignored.

This incident comes in the wake of Netanyahu's formal signing of a memorandum to join the 'Peace Council' during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The council was established by former U.S. President Donald Trump in January and was included as part of the terms of a ceasefire agreement regarding the Gaza Strip, raising further questions about its role and effectiveness in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.