Meshaal Rejects Calls for Hamas Disarmament

Senior Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has said the group will not give up its weapons. He also rejected any form of foreign control in the Gaza Strip.

Meshaal spoke on Sunday at a conference in Doha. He said efforts to criminalise armed resistance were unacceptable. According to him, resistance remains a right for people living under occupation.

He added that resistance would continue as long as occupation exists. Meshaal said many nations view resistance as a source of pride.

Hamas Position on the Conflict

Hamas is an Islamist movement that opposes Israel’s control over Palestinian territories. The group launched a deadly cross border attack from Gaza into Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack triggered the current war.

A US brokered ceasefire is now in its second phase. The agreement includes plans to demilitarise Gaza. It also calls for Hamas to disarm and for Israeli forces to withdraw in stages.

Hamas has described disarmament as a red line. However, it has said it may consider handing weapons to a future Palestinian authority.

Israeli officials claim Hamas still has about 20,000 fighters in Gaza. They also estimate the group holds tens of thousands of firearms.

Peace Plan Faces Major Obstacles

Disarming Hamas remains one of the biggest challenges to President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The issue also delays reconstruction in the war damaged territory.

Israel’s continued control over large parts of Gaza presents another problem. Israeli forces still operate in more than half of the Strip.

A Palestinian technocratic committee now handles daily administration in Gaza. Its role in security and demilitarisation remains unclear.

Board of Peace and International Role

The committee operates under the Board of Peace. President Donald Trump launched the initiative to oversee the ceasefire and rebuilding process.

Trump announced the board at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Officials and leaders from nearly two dozen countries signed its founding charter.

The US also formed a Gaza Executive Board. The panel advises the technocratic committee. Its members include US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as former UK prime minister Tony Blair.