On 2 November 2023, Haniyeh stated that if Israel agreed to a ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors to bring more aid into Gaza, Hamas is “ready for political negotiations for a two-state solution with Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine,” adding that “Israeli captives are subjected to the same destruction and death as our people.”
On 13 December, an opinion poll by showed that Haniyeh would defeat incumbent Mahmoud Abbas by a landslide for the position of President of the State of Palestine (78% for Haniyeh and 16% for Abbas). However, in a three-way race between Haniyeh, Abbas and Marwan Barhgouti, Barghouti would win 47%, Haniyeh would win 43% and Abbas would win 7%. Barghouti is under solitary imprisonment by Israel.