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Hamas has warned it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established — a fresh rebuke to a key Israeli demand to end the war in Gaza.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages, ended last week in a deadlock.
Earlier this week, Qatar and Egypt, who are mediating ceasefire efforts, endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As part of this measure, Hamas must hand over its arms to the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas, the Palestinian political and military organization ruling over the Gaza Strip since the 2006 elections, has declared in its statement that it will not abandon its “armed resistance” until a “fully sovereign, independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital” is realized.
The statement was in response to comments from United States President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, who told families of hostages being held by Hamas that he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza.
Steve Witkoff is visiting Israel as its government faces mounting pressure over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the enclave.
In a recording of the meeting, reviewed by Reuters, Witkoff is heard saying: “We have a very, very good plan that we’re working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu … for the reconstruction of Gaza. That effectively means the end of the war.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his remarks.
Witkoff also said that Hamas was prepared to disarm in order to end the war, though the group has repeatedly said it will not lay down its weapons.
Israel considers the disarmament of Hamas a key condition for any deal to end the conflict.
Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described any future independent Palestinian state as a platform to destroy Israel and said, for that reason, security control over Palestinian territories must remain with Israel.
He also criticised several countries, including the UK and Canada, for announcing plans to recognise a Palestinian state in response to the devastation of Gaza from Israel’s offensive and blockade.
He called the move a reward for Hamas’ conduct.
Hamas releases second video of Israeli hostage
On Sunday AEST, Hamas released its second video in two days of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In it, David, skeletally thin, is shown digging a hole, which, he says in the video, is for his own grave.
“They are on the absolute brink of death,” David’s brother Ilay said at a rally in support of the hostages in Tel Aviv, where thousands gathered holding posters of those in captivity and chanted for their immediate release.
“In the current unimaginable condition, they may have only days left to live.”
The war started when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has left significant destruction in its wake, resulting in over 60,000 Palestinian casualties and triggering a severe humanitarian crisis.
Nearly a week has passed since Israel, under international pressure amid growing scenes of starving children, announced limited humanitarian pauses and airdrops meant to get more food to Gaza’s over two million people.
But the United Nations, partners and Palestinians say far too little aid is still coming in, with months’ worth of supplies piled up outside Gaza waiting for Israeli approval.
The leading international authority on food crises this week said a “worst-case scenario of famine” was occurring in the besieged enclave.
