Hamas resists disbanding its armed forces until a Palestinian state is established
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Islamist terror organization Hamas, the latest statement was made in the contested Gaza Strip and Israeli city of Tel Aviv. This statement, made at a meeting in Tel Aviv according to the Forum of Hostage Families, reaffirmed Hamas's stance on armed resistance and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Hamas has made it clear that the abandonment of armed resistance can only occur when the rights of Palestinians are fully realized. This statement, which also specified Jerusalem as the proposed capital of the independent Palestinian state, according to Hamas, was made regarding disarming and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
However, Israel's government is against a two-state solution, believing the West Bank and East Jerusalem historically and religiously belong to Israel. This opposition to a two-state solution has been highlighted in recent UN conferences, with Israel viewing such initiatives as counterproductive and likely to embolden Hamas rather than advance peace.
Despite this, the international community, including the UN Secretary-General and most member states, strongly support the two-state solution as the only viable path to peace. The League of Arab States has for the first time formally endorsed the outcome document calling on Hamas to disarm and allow hostages’ release as prerequisites for ceasefire and political resolution.
Witkoff, US special envoy, has suggested readiness for demilitarization, a statement that Hamas has received. However, Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist and has not accepted the two-state framework. Hamas claims all historic Palestine, including present-day Israel, but accepts a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
The core positions remain fundamentally opposed: Israel rejects current two-state initiatives linked to Hamas, Hamas resists disarmament and political compromise, and the international diplomatic consensus continues to press for two independent states as the resolution framework. The rejection by Hamas is conditional upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, a condition that Hamas has established.
In a positive development, Witkoff stated that Hamas is "on the brink of ending this war" and has a plan to return all hostages. This statement offers hope for a resolution to the ongoing conflict and a step towards peace. The international community will continue to urge both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and take concrete steps towards a peaceful resolution.
Hamas has conditionally stated that it will abandon armed resistance when the rights of Palestinians are fully realized, which also includes Jerusalem as the proposed capital of the independent Palestinian state. The League of Arab States has endorsed the outcome document, calling on Hamas to disarm and allow hostages’ release as prerequisites for ceasefire and political resolution, indicating involvement in war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
