Feb 8 β€’ 11:21 UTC πŸ‡¬πŸ‡· Greece Naftemporiki

Gaza: 'Hamas will not abandon its weapons. We will not accept foreign domination,' says a leading figure

Khaled Meshaal, a leading figure of Hamas, stated that the organization will not relinquish its arms and will reject any foreign rule over Gaza, amid pressures from Israel and the US.

Khaled Meshaal, a prominent leader of Hamas, emphasized during a conference in Doha that the Palestinian organization has no intention of giving up its weapons or accepting foreign authority over the Gaza Strip. His remarks come in the context of increasing pressures from both Israel and the United States for Hamas to disarm. Meshaal firmly stated that criminalizing resistance and the tools used in that struggle is unacceptable. He claimed that the weaponry of Hamas is an integral part of their resistance against Israeli presence in Palestinian territories.

During his speech, Meshaal asserted that as long as there is occupation, there will be resistance, framing this struggle as an inherent right of peoples living under occupation. He reflected a sentiment of pride among nations in their right to resist against domination. Meshaal's comments highlight a stark position of Hamas against disarmament efforts and showcase the ongoing tension between the group and external powers pushing for changes in Gaza's governance and security framework.

The situation is complex, particularly in light of the ceasefire implemented on October 10 and evolving plans by the US administration that include a phased approach to address Hamas's armament through disarmament measures. The implications of Meshaal's statements could strain international negotiations seeking to stabilize the region and complicate the dynamics of peace processes involving Israeli and Palestinian authorities.

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