Hamas intends to maintain control of security in the Gaza Strip and, for the time being, rules out the possibility of disarmament. Mohammed Nazzal, a member of the movement's politburo, stated this in an interview with Reuters, speaking from Doha, Qatar, where Hamas's leadership resides. According to Reuters, Nazzal's statements highlight the difficulties the United States faces in trying to end the conflict and the main obstacles slowing efforts toward a definitive cessation of hostilities.
Nazzal stated that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire of up to five years to allow for the reconstruction of the devastated Gaza Strip , with guarantees regarding what will happen thereafter, provided that the Palestinians are given "horizons and hope" for the creation of a state. Asked whether Hamas intends to give up its weapons, Nazzal replied: "I can't say yes or no. Frankly, it depends on the nature of the project. The disarmament project that is being talked about, what does it mean? Who will receive the weapons? " He added that disarmament issues concern not only Hamas but also other Palestinian armed groups and require a united position from all Palestinians.
Reuters recalls that Hamas, on October 4, agreed to release the hostages and to entrust the management of the Strip to a technical committee , but stressed that " other issues had to be addressed in a broader Palestinian framework ."
Nazzal then justified the recent executions in Gaza, calling them "exceptional measures" adopted in times of war and specifying that those executed were criminals "guilty of murder."
He finally clarified that Hamas has no interest in retaining the bodies of the deceased Israeli hostages, explaining that the difficulty lies in their recovery and that, if necessary, international actors such as Türkiye or the United States could assist in the search.
(Unioneonline)
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