Hamas insists on disarming only when a sovereign Palestinian state is established, rejects the Israeli ceasefire prerequisite
In the midst of a volatile situation in Gaza, US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is spearheading renewed diplomatic efforts to bring about a much-needed breakthrough.
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by international and regional actors, have faltered over the past week, with a deadlock over disarmament being a significant factor. Hamas remains adamant about its position, viewing disarmament as a final step, not a starting point for negotiations.
Hamas has explicitly refused to disarm despite Israeli demands that disarmament be a key condition for ending the conflict and securing a ceasefire. The group views armed resistance as a right that will continue until an independent Palestinian state exists.
Mediators like Qatar and Egypt support proposals for Hamas to hand over weapons to the Palestinian Authority as part of progress toward a two-state solution. However, Hamas rejects handing over arms until Palestinian sovereignty is realized.
Israeli leaders strongly oppose Palestinian statehood and insist on Hamas’s disarmament as a prerequisite for peace. This fundamental disagreement remains a major barrier to ceasefire agreements.
The crisis in Gaza has led to "man-made mass starvation" according to multiple UN agencies. Access to food and basic supplies remains severely limited despite Israeli claims that there are no restrictions on humanitarian deliveries. The United Nations blames Israeli military actions near humanitarian aid sites for the deaths. At least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed since late May while attempting to obtain food.
Steve Witkoff has met with families of Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv and inspected a US-backed aid site in southern Gaza, which has drawn criticism over its failure to ensure civilian safety. The US remains committed to a comprehensive peace agreement focused on ending the conflict and securing the release of all hostages.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned that Israel would intensify operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to release hostages soon. Israel denies responsibility for the deaths, claiming its forces do not target civilians.
In a significant development, France and Canada announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state, with the UK indicating it may follow suit if Israel does not meet certain conditions by September. Hamas’s position is firm that it will not disarm or relinquish its weapons unless a fully independent and sovereign Palestinian state is established, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Amidst these complexities, Steve Witkoff met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel, marking a crucial step in the ongoing diplomatic efforts. The path to peace in Gaza remains challenging, but with continued diplomatic efforts, a resolution may be within reach.
- Despite the ongoing food crisis in Gaza, where UN agencies claim "man-made mass starvation" is occurring, discussions about Gaza's political future remain contentious, with Hamas refusing to disarm, viewing armed resistance as a right until an independent Palestinian state exists.
2.In the realm of general news, amidst the intricate diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to bring about a breakthrough in the Gaza conflict, the issue of war-and-conflicts continues to interfere with talks, as Hamas and Israeli leaders remain at odds over the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
