Hamas Rejects Disarmament Until Sovereign Palestinian State Is Established

Hamas has reiterated that it will not lay down its arms unless a fully sovereign Palestinian state is created. This stance comes in response to Israel’s key demand in ceasefire discussions related to the Gaza conflict.

The group issued the statement after claims surfaced—attributed to US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff—that Hamas had shown readiness to disarm. Israel views Hamas’ disarmament as a core condition for any potential ceasefire deal.

Talks between Israel and Hamas, which are being held indirectly, recently stalled. These negotiations aim to establish a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages.

Amid this diplomatic impasse, several Arab nations have joined calls for Hamas to surrender its weapons and relinquish control over Gaza. The push comes after France, Canada, and other Western nations declared intentions to recognize a Palestinian state. The UK also signaled it could do the same unless Israel complies with certain conditions by September.

In its public response, Hamas—considered a terrorist organization by the US, UK, and EU—insisted that it would not give up its right to armed resistance. The group stated it would only consider disarmament once an “independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital” is formally recognized.

Israel Defense Forces Chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir emphasized that military operations in Gaza would continue if negotiations fail to free the remaining hostages.

On Saturday, Hamas released a video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, appearing weak and malnourished in a dim tunnel. His family condemned Hamas for mistreating him and appealed to both the Israeli government and the United States for urgent intervention.

Witkoff, visiting Israel during a period of increasing international criticism over conditions in Gaza, met with Israeli hostage families. In Tel Aviv, he was welcomed by demonstrators urging greater efforts to secure their loved ones’ release. He emphasized that peace efforts should prioritize ending the conflict and freeing all hostages, rather than pursuing partial deals.

Witkoff also visited a controversial aid distribution center in southern Gaza during his trip and held discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

UN agencies report that at least 1,373 Palestinians have died while attempting to obtain food since late May. Most of these deaths, according to the UN, occurred near humanitarian aid sites under Israeli and US-supported operations. The UN blames Israel for the crisis, but Israel denies restricting aid and claims there is no starvation in Gaza.

Israel accuses Hamas of creating disorder at these distribution points and insists its forces do not deliberately target civilians.

The conflict escalated following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which left about 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, over 60,000 people in Gaza have been killed, and 169—including 93 children—have reportedly died from malnutrition, according to Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza.

 

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