Hamas Welcomes Calls for Palestinian Statehood—But Refuses to Lay Down Arms
Hamas welcomed international moves toward Palestinian statehood but rejected demands to disarm and transfer Gaza’s control to the Palestinian Authority, insisting on continued “resistance.” The statement, responding to a 17-nation declaration, has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli and U.S. leaders amid ongoing conflict and hostage crises.
Hamas issued a statement welcoming international support for Palestinian statehood while firmly rejecting calls to disarm and cede control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. The terrorist group, responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 and abducted 251, expressed appreciation for “positive positions” from a New York conference where 17 nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, the UK, and Canada, demanded Hamas relinquish its weapons and governance of Gaza. The joint declaration, backed by the EU and Arab League, stated, “In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State.”
Hamas, however, insisted that “resistance and its weapons” are a “national and legal entitlement” under international law, refusing to disarm until the “occupation persists” and a fully sovereign Palestinian state is established. The group claimed statehood is “the fruit of our people’s ongoing struggle” and an “original and natural right,” demanding an end to what it called Israel’s “war of extermination and ethnic cleansing” and the prosecution of Israeli leaders as “war criminals.” Hamas also condemned normalization with Israel.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September, contingent on Palestinian Authority reforms excluding Hamas, prompting backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who warned on X, “Legitimizing Hamas’s terror empowers jihadists globally.” President Donald Trump echoed this, threatening sanctions against nations supporting unilateral statehood. With 50 hostages still held in Gaza and 60,000 Palestinian deaths reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry, the statement fuels tensions. Social media on X decried Hamas’s stance, with one user stating, “Hamas wants statehood but won’t disarm, pure hypocrisy!”