An influential Hamas leader says his organisation would end violence against Israel if they agreed to the creation of a Palestinian state.

In an interview with The Australian, Hamas elder statesman Ahmed Yousef said the group would be prepared to halt attacks on Israel if Israel agreed to the formation of a Palestinian state.

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“If there is a Palestinian state, we do not need any more war or catastrophe,” Dr Yousef said.

Dr Yousef called for the formation of a Palestinian state along pre-1967 lines, when Israel was recognised as a state.

“We are like the rest of people in the world, we just want peaceful lives,” he said.