Hamas: Resistance Weapons Are an Internal Palestinian Matter
Hamas says Israeli disarmament demands aim to cover war crimes, stresses reconstruction, aid, and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem affirmed that the issue of resistance weapons is “an internal Palestinian matter” that must be addressed through national dialogue and political and field-based consensus, within the framework of defining forms of struggle in the next phase and the role of various Palestinian arenas.
In press statements, Qassem said that Israel’s continued talk about disarmament aims to cover up the crimes committed by Israeli weapons, stressing that “the real lawless and criminal weapon is the Israeli weapon, backed by the United States,” which has been used to destroy the Gaza Strip, besiege its population, and starve them for two years.
Netanyahu Violating Ceasefire Agreement
Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Qassem added that remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about focusing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement on disarming Gaza instead of reconstruction constitute “a clear violation of the agreement” previously reached.
Netanyahu had announced last Monday, following the recovery of the body of Israeli soldier Ran Gurevich from Gaza, that the next phase in the Strip would not focus on reconstruction, but on disarming Hamas.
Qassem stated that the occupation is attempting to rearrange the timeline of the agreement’s provisions due to Netanyahu’s internal political calculations and disputes within his government over the second phase, describing this as a blatant breach of the agreement and an attempt to preserve the ruling coalition.
Regarding reports of a plan by US President Donald Trump that includes a clause on resistance weapons, Qassem clarified that this issue has not been raised so far by the mediators, nor have any comprehensive proposals been presented.
He noted that the occupation speaks of disarmament while flooding Gaza with weapons by arming affiliated militias that carry out killings, assassinations, and kidnappings against civilians.
Ending Israeli Military Presence and Transferring Gaza Administration
Qassem emphasized that the current phase requires a genuine opening of crossings, the entry of comprehensive aid, the start of reconstruction, and the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, especially with the formation of the administrative committee facilitated by Hamas and welcomed by various parties.
He stressed that what is required is the implementation of the second phase of the agreement by empowering the independent national committee to administer Gaza, ensuring its success, allowing real aid to enter, opening crossings, and ending the Israeli military presence, adding that other issues require dialogue and national consensus and cannot be handled through dictates.
Regarding governance of the Strip, Qassem said the transfer of administration will be professional, transparent, and orderly, noting that all technical and logistical arrangements—both office-based and on the ground—have been prepared. He explained that a higher committee is overseeing the process, with the participation of Palestinian factions, tribal actors, and international institutions.
Qassem reaffirmed Hamas’ commitment to fully handing over governance of the Gaza Strip to the designated committee and its readiness to provide all necessary conditions to ensure the success of its work in the coming phase. (PW)