Hamas Spokesman Denies Plans to Disarm, Warns Israel Against Naivety

Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan, speaking from Lebanon, explicitly stated that the group has no intention of surrendering its weapons, dismissing any talk of disarmament as unfounded. Hamdan emphasized that Hamas does not consider itself obligated to take any steps unless Israel publicly agrees to cease hostilities and withdraw. This stance was highlighted in a broadcast on Channel 14, where Arab affairs analyst Dr. Eddy Cohen warned that Hamas is exploiting Israeli naivety and growing stronger, making dialogue impossible.

Cohen stressed that even proposals for weapons storage do not indicate a genuine willingness by Hamas to disarm. He described the situation as a waste of time for Israel, urging recognition that Hamas is consolidating power and that there is no partner for negotiations. The warnings come amid ongoing tensions in Gaza, with recent incidents such as incendiary balloons crossing into Israeli territory and concerns about a Hezbollah-like model emerging in the region.

The Israeli Defense Minister has issued stern warnings to Hamas, reflecting heightened security concerns. The situation remains volatile, with Israeli forces active in Gaza and political leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, closely monitoring developments. The discourse underscores the deep mistrust between Israel and Hamas and the challenges facing any potential ceasefire or peace efforts.