Hamas Denies Weitkopf's Remarks on Disarmament: Resistance Continues as Long as Occupation Exists

SadaNews - Hamas denied today, Saturday, what was reported by the U.S. envoy, Steve Weitkopf, regarding the movement's readiness to disarm, following statements he made during a meeting with families of Israeli prisoners at the "Hostages' Square" in Tel Aviv, as reported by the newspaper "Haaretz". He mentioned that "Hamas is ready to disarm, but we need to make sure that it will actually do so".

In response to these statements, Hamas emphasized in a press release that "the resistance and its weaponry are a national and legal entitlement as long as the occupation exists," asserting that this right has been "recognized by international charters and norms," and that it "can only be relinquished by fully restoring our national rights, foremost among them establishing an independent state of Palestine with complete sovereignty and its capital in Jerusalem".

Weitkopf had informed the families that Arab states are pressuring Hamas to disarm, considering that this could lead to "a solution that allows for ending the war," as he described it. He added that "the only option for releasing the prisoners is a comprehensive agreement, all or nothing." He also pointed out that the U.S. administration is working on a new formula to end the war, involving "the concerned Arab states and all American power".

While Weitkopf mentioned that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is "committed to ending the war," some of the prisoners' families expressed their distrust in this commitment, accusing the Israeli government of failing to find a way out. They added that Weitkopf's statements align with the American position supporting the completion of the deal and stopping the war, in contrast to the absence of an effective official stance from the Israeli government.

"Haaretz" reported from several attendees at the meeting that Weitkopf said that "the majority of the Israeli public wishes to end the war and secure the release of the prisoners," as well as "the majority of the residents of Gaza, in order to start the reconstruction of the sector." He added, "If you have lost confidence in the Israeli government, and I understand that you have valid reasons for that, then Donald Trump stands by you."