Gaza City, August 3, 2025 — Amid stalled ceasefire negotiations and rising international pressure, Hamas has declared it will not disarm until an independent Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital. The militant group’s statement rebuffs claims by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff that Hamas showed a willingness to surrender its weapons.
The reaffirmation came as key conditions—such as disarmament—remain non-negotiable for Israel in any agreement to end the war. Hamas stated, “Our right to resistance and to bear arms remains until a sovereign Palestinian state is achieved.”
U.S. envoy Witkoff, appointed by President Donald Trump, has been touring the region in a renewed push to mediate peace. However, he faces mounting skepticism. On Saturday, he met the families of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. One such hostage, Evyatar David, was shown in a recent Hamas video looking frail and emaciated—his family accused Hamas of “using starvation as propaganda.”
As humanitarian conditions in Gaza deteriorate, Arab nations, including Egypt and Jordan, have privately urged Hamas to consider disarmament. These appeals follow announcements by France, Canada, and the UK to recognize a Palestinian state—conditional upon progress toward peace.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have escalated their campaign in Gaza. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned, “There will be no ceasefire without the release of hostages.” According to the UN, over 60,000 people have died in Gaza since Israel’s operation began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and led to 251 hostages being taken.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. UN agencies have reported over 1,300 Palestinians killed while seeking food since May. They blame Israeli restrictions on aid and military action near humanitarian zones. Israel denies those claims, accusing Hamas of orchestrating the chaos near distribution sites.
Witkoff inspected one of the criticized aid sites in southern Gaza and called for “a comprehensive peace, not a partial deal.” He emphasized prioritizing hostage release and halting the violence. However, skepticism remains, as no breakthrough was achieved during his visit.
While Israel demands Hamas’s disarmament as a core condition, Hamas maintains that only the full recognition of Palestinian sovereignty can bring an end to its armed struggle. With the UN General Assembly in September expected to take up Palestinian statehood, the world watches with bated breath as diplomacy teeters on the edge.
