Hamas Armed Wing Rejects International Demand for Disarmament

Hamas Spokesman Rejects Calls for Disarmament

Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, has stated that discussions about the group’s disarmament are an attempt to continue Israel’s alleged genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. In a televised statement on Sunday, Obeida said that raising the issue of weapons “in a crude manner” would not be accepted.

The issue of Hamas relinquishing its weapons is a major obstacle in talks to implement US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, aimed at ending Israel’s war on the besieged territory. The US- and Qatar-brokered “ceasefire” took effect in October, resulting in over 705 Palestinian deaths in Israeli attacks, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Hamas has told mediators it will not discuss disarmament without guarantees that Israel will completely withdraw from Gaza. Obeida stated that the disarmament demands are “nothing but an overt attempt to continue the genocide against our people.” He urged mediators to pressure Israel to fulfill its commitments under the first phase of the Trump plan before any discussion of the second phase can take place.

Obeida also condemned Israel’s role in the US-Israel war on Iran, stating that it launched strikes on Iran “in the midst of the deception of negotiations.” Additionally, he condemned Israel’s renewed offensive against Lebanon, which has resulted in over 1,400 deaths and displaced over 1.2 million people.

The comments from Obeida come as talks to implement the US-backed plan continue. It is unclear whether his remarks amount to a formal rejection of the plan, which includes a demand that Hamas lay down its arms.

Source: Al Jazeera