The armed wing of Hamas has said it will not accept calls to disarm while key conditions of the Gaza ceasefire remain unmet, highlighting growing tensions around efforts to extend the ceasefire.
In a televised statement on Sunday, spokesperson Abu Ubaida criticised what he described as premature and unacceptable pressure to discuss weapons, arguing that such demands ignore commitments that have yet to be fulfilled.
He warned that raising the issue “in a crude manner” would not be tolerated, and framed the push for disarmament as part of a broader threat to Palestinians in Gaza.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States under proposals linked to President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' plan, has largely halted two years of intense fighting since last October. However, negotiations over its next phase remain stalled.
A central sticking point is whether Hamas should give up its weapons - a demand seen by some mediators as key to securing a longer-term settlement. Hamas, however, has insisted it will not enter such discussions without firm guarantees that Israel will fully withdraw from Gaza.
“What is being pushed through mediators is extremely dangerous,” Abu Ubaida said, urging those involved in negotiations to instead pressure Israel to meet its obligations under the initial phase of the agreement.
It remains unclear whether his remarks amount to a formal rejection of the broader U.S.-backed proposals. Political figures within Hamas have yet to publicly respond.
The war between Israel and Hamas began after Hamas-led fighters carried out cross-border attacks into southern Israel 7 October 2023, triggering a large-scale Israeli military response. The conflict has devastated much of Gaza, displacing large numbers of civilians and leaving widespread destruction, as well as killing at least more than 75,000 people according to the local health ministry in the Strip.
Since the ceasefire came into force, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating its terms, underscoring how fragile the situation remains.
Abu Ubaida reiterated that any further progress depends on the current agreement being honoured in full. “The enemy is the one undermining the deal,” he said.
There has been no immediate response from Israel to the latest comments, leaving the future of the ceasefire - and the possibility of a longer-term resolution - uncertain.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy...
A Chinese-made AI chip has matched Nvidia’s H200 in tests conducted by its developer, marking a potential breakthrough in China’s effor...
China’s GJ-21 carrier-based stealth reconnaissance and strike drone has completed its first take-off and landing on board the Sichuan, the co...
The Middle East conflict remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue alongside renewed Houthi attacks. Iran says it remains open to mediation, while the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the kingdom.
Rescuers searched the wreckage of two high-speed trains in central Spain on Thursday as the death toll rose to a provisional 74, making it the country's second fatal high-speed rail disaster this year.
Evacuations and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky have begun, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. In a statement on Telegram, David Arakhamia said a six-day ceasefire was holding, and that more details would follow.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday as part of efforts to reach a deal between the U.S. and Iran, according to an official briefed on the talks.
UN human rights experts comprising a group including Special Rapporteurs and independent experts who are part of the UN Human Rights Council, have criticised French authorities over their handling of nationwide student protests.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan surged by 330 per cent in 2026 despite a four-year ban, the United Nations said on Thursday. Afghan authorities disputed the findings, while Japan urged continued support for farmers seeking alternative livelihoods.
Central Asia could gain up to $640 million a year from closer energy cooperation, but strained electricity grids threaten to limit those gains, with Kazakhstan particularly exposed to regional power shortages and growing pressure on its network.
Georgia and Azerbaijan are stepping up efforts to boost trade, strengthen transport links between Asia and Europe and resolve a longstanding border dispute, as both countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership.
People travelling between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan could soon be able to pay for purchases using their usual banking apps. Central banks from the five countries are working on linking their national payment systems.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment