Feb 16 β€’ 18:04 UTC πŸ‡ΆπŸ‡¦ Qatar Al Jazeera

Hamas Leader: We Reject Israel's Deadline for Surrendering Weapons, and Confrontation is Open

A senior Hamas leader has rejected Israel's demand to surrender weapons, asserting that the organization will not yield to threats.

Mamdouh Mardawi, a senior leader of Hamas, categorically rejected Israel's reported ultimatum that demanded the group surrender its weapons, including personal firearms, within 60 days. During an interview on Al Jazeera, Mardawi stated that Hamas has not received any official notification regarding this ultimatum and dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats as unfounded and merely rhetorical, highlighting that they lack any basis in the ongoing negotiations. He characterized the threats as part of a broader pattern of intimidation directed at Palestine.

Mardawi further elaborated that Israel's aggressive policies in the West Bank and Jerusalem represent a religious war rather than a straightforward military occupation. He cited Israel's control over significant religious sites and ongoing acts of displacement aimed at altering the demographic composition of Jerusalem. According to him, these actions are meant to compel Palestinians to emigrate, yet he emphasized that the resilience of the Palestinian people will endure despite the continuous siege and violence occurring in Gaza and the West Bank.

The conversation touches upon the broader context of Palestinian resistance and unity among various factions as they navigate the complexities of the conflict with Israel. Mardawi's remarks signify a steadfast commitment to armed resistance and a refusal to comply with Israel's demands, further amplifying the tension in the region. The implications of this ongoing confrontation are significant, as both sides seem entrenched in their positions, potentially leading to escalated violence and sustained instability in the area.

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