Hamas insists on maintaining its weapons only with the creation of an autonomous Palestinian state.
In the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a stalemate persists due to differing views on the establishment of a Palestinian state. According to Hamas, the proposed Palestinian state would have Jerusalem as its capital. This assertion, however, is met with opposition from Israel, which views any moves towards recognising Palestinian statehood that include Hamas-controlled areas as counterproductive.
Israel holds Hamas responsible for the ongoing conflict, the captivity of hostages, and the welfare of Palestinians under Hamas control. Consequently, Israel is skeptical of efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital that do not address Hamas’s actions. The Israeli government insists on Hamas’s disarmament as a prerequisite for any solution.
Hamas, on the other hand, has not indicated any change in its position regarding an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital or disarming. Historically, Hamas has demanded Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state but rejects recognising Israel and relinquishing its weapons. Israel’s demand for disarmament remains a core issue preventing progress towards statehood negotiations.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of hostages ended in deadlock. The war in question, the ongoing Gaza war, has seen Hamas militarily battered by Israel. Despite this, Hamas has repeatedly stated that it is not willing to lay down its weaponry.
The proposed Palestinian state, as stated by Hamas, would have Jerusalem as its capital. The declaration from France and Saudi Arabia, endorsed by Qatar and Egypt, outlines steps towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This declaration calls for Hamas to hand over its arms to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority as part of the two-state solution. However, Hamas's armed resistance, as stated, cannot be relinquished without the full restoration of their national rights, including the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state.
The Palestinian Authority, a Western-backed organization, has not been directly involved in these discussions. Nevertheless, the impasse in negotiations and agreement on an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital continues, making a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a distant prospect.
The Israeli government remains skeptical about efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, as they view it as pro-Hamas and counterproductive to their demands for Hamas's disarmament. Hamas, however, continues to stand firm on their position, refusing to disarm and demanding Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state, a decision they consider necessary to restore their national rights.
