Hamas: Laying down arms non-negotiable

Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, take security measures as they hand over on Saturday two Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of the seventh exchange under the Jan. 19 ceasefire deal in Rafah, southern Gaza, on February 22, 2025. [Ali Jadallah – Anadolu Agency]

Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri said the movement’s weapons are a red line and not up for negotiation.

In remarks reported by Reuters, Abu Zuhri stated that Hamas would not accept any attempts to exchange its weapons for reconstruction efforts or humanitarian aid.

“The weapon of the resistance is a red line, and it is not negotiable,” he said, adding: “We will not accept [any deal] to trade it for reconstruction or the entry of aid.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said yesterday that Israel demands the “complete disarmament” of the Gaza Strip, the release of all captives and Hamas’s removal as a condition for moving to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.

The second phase of the deal was due to include the release of captives, with Hamas saying no more captives would be released until a second phase as agreed as fears are rising that Israel will return to bombing Gaza once the captives have been returned to appease far-right members of the government.

READ: Hamas urges Arab countries to stop Israel’s starvation policy in Gaza

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