Hamas leader says the terror group will never disarm, offering “guarantees” and a long-term truce with Israel instead of demilitarization.
By David Rosenberg, World Israel News
Khaled Mashal, the co-chairman of the Hamas politburo, said Sunday that the Gaza-based terror group will never accept American demands to disarm, suggesting instead an alternative arrangement to enable the implementation of phase two of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan.
Speaking with the Qatari media outlet Al Jazeera, Mashal said that if Hamas surrendered its weapons, its leaders would be “easily exterminated” by the IDF, insisting that the group retain its arsenal.
“In the context that our people are still under occupation, talking about disarmament is an attempt to make our people an easy victim to be eliminated and easily exterminated by Israel, which is armed with all international weaponry,” Mashal said.
“Resistance is a right for people under occupation; it is part of international law and the heavenly religions. Resistance is part of the memory of nations.”
Instead, Mashal proposed the US accept Hamas “guarantees,” alongside a commitment to observe a long-term truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
“The problem is not that Hamas and the resistance forces in Gaza provide guarantees; the problem is Israel, which wants to take the Palestinian weapons … and put them in the hands of militias to create chaos,” Mashal continued.
The Hamas chief suggested that in place of the demilitarization of Gaza, the Trump administration accept an agreement providing for a ceasefire in Gaza, lasting from anywhere between five and 10 years.
As part of the deal, Mashal said that Hamas would promise not to use its arsenal.
“Hamas proposed a truce of five to seven to 10 years. This is a guarantee that these weapons are not used.”
Mashal said that a mechanism must be settled upon for moving forward with reconstruction, without mandating Hamas’ disarmament.
“It is necessary to provide an environment that allows reconstruction and relief and ensures that the war does not reignite between Gaza and the Zionist entity.”
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