Militant group Hamas threatens to maintain their armed struggle until their demands are fulfilled, while disturbing footage emerges allegedly showing a hostage being forced to dig his own grave by unidentified thugs.
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Hamas has reaffirmed its stance on disarmament, stating that it will not lay down its arms unless an independent Palestinian state is established and Jerusalem is recognised as its capital. This position was reiterated in response to media reports quoting US envoy Steve Witkoff, who claimed that Hamas has shown willingness to disarm.
The group has been militarily weakened by Israel during the war, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel, resulting in the tragic loss of 1,200 lives and the taking of 251 hostages back to Gaza. The latest casualties include at least 51 people, including 27 aid workers, who have been killed so far on Saturday in Israeli attacks across Gaza.
Israel considers the disarmament of Hamas a key condition for a deal to end the war. However, Hamas has criticised related U.S. diplomatic actions as attempts to mislead public opinion and provide cover for Israeli military operations in Gaza. Instead, the group calls on the international community, particularly the U.S., to focus on securing a ceasefire, withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza, and lifting the blockade.
The war has taken a devastating toll on the Palestinian population, with over 60,000 Palestinians killed amid a deepening hunger crisis, compounded by Israel's blockage of aid delivery. This right to resist is recognised by international laws and norms and cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of their national rights, with the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Recently, a video was released showing an emaciated Israeli hostage, Evyatar, in a tunnel. Evyatar was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on October 7. In the video, he is seen telling the camera that he is digging his own grave. His family has given permission for media outlets to show the video.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, has stated that a future independent Palestinian state would be a platform to destroy Israel. He also criticised the UK and Canada, among other countries, for their plans to recognise a Palestinian state. For this reason, Netanyahu added, Israel must have security control over Palestinian territories.
Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel ended in deadlock last week, stalling efforts to secure a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and a deal for the release of hostages. The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with a focus on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the protection of human rights for all parties involved.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, including the recent hostilities that started on October 7, 2023, have led to general-news headlines and debates about politics, crime-and-justice, and the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.
- Hamas's position on disarmament, which they reiterated in response to US envoy Steve Witkoff's claims, is intertwined with their demand for an independent Palestinian state and the recognition of Jerusalem as its capital, a topic that is both political and central to the ongoing conflict.
