Hamas Leader Firmly Rejects Disarmament And Any Foreign Control

[Mudhab]

A senior Hamas leader has reiterated the group's refusal to lay down its weapons or accept external authority over the Gaza Strip, stressing that armed resistance remains a legitimate response to occupation. Speaking at a conference in Doha, Khaled Meshal dismissed calls by the United States and Israel to disarm the movement, framing such demands as an attempt to delegitimize what he described as a lawful struggle.

Meshal argued that resistance is an inherent right of people living under occupation, adding that history often honors nations that resist foreign domination. According to him, condemning resistance and its means amounts to denying Palestinians their political and moral agency. His remarks come amid ongoing international discussions on Gaza's future following months of devastating conflict.

Hamas has long defined itself as an Islamist resistance movement opposing Israel's control over Palestinian territories. The current war was triggered by the group's October 7, 2023 cross-border attack into Israel, which led to a massive military response in Gaza. Since then, diplomatic efforts have focused on halting the fighting and shaping post-war governance arrangements.

A US-brokered ceasefire is now in its second phase and includes proposals for Gaza's demilitarization and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces. While Hamas has indicated it might consider transferring weapons to a future Palestinian authority, it has consistently described full disarmament as a red line it will not cross.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian technocratic committee has been formed to manage Gaza's daily affairs under the supervision of a newly established "Board of Peace," an initiative backed by US President Donald Trump. Critics, however, fear the board's expanding mandate could sideline existing international frameworks, including the United Nations.

Meshal urged the board to adopt a balanced approach that prioritizes reconstruction and humanitarian aid for Gaza's 2.2 million residents. At the same time, he warned against any form of foreign rule, insisting that Palestinians alone must determine Gaza's political future and govern their own territory.

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