Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Gaza Strip “will never again pose any threat to the State of Israel,” indicating that this would be achieved “either the easy way or the hard way.”
Speaking at a press conference following his return from the United States, Netanyahu said that “Israel will not allow a repeat of what happened on 7 October 2023,” stressing the necessity of disarming the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas.
Netanyahu also demanded that Hamas hand over Kalashnikov rifles in the Gaza Strip. He clarified that when referring to what he described as Hamas’s heavy weapons, he meant Kalashnikov rifles, anti tank rocket launchers, and mortar shells, while noting at the same time that “there are no longer heavy weapons in Hamas’s possession in Gaza.”
He added that the occupation would maintain an independent capability to repel any attacks against it, stating that “Israel will significantly reduce its reliance on American support, while relations with Washington remain based on partnership.”
Last week, Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said that “the issue of Palestinian weapons is linked to the existence and removal of the occupation,” adding that the Palestinian resistance since 1917 has adhered to the principle of reclaiming land and achieving national freedom.”
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hamdan stated that “this weapon is legitimate under international law and the will of the Palestinian people, and it will not be relinquished until it achieves its goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Addressing statements regarding the idea of freezing weapons for a certain period, Hamdan affirmed that “any talk of freezing weapons or a truce extending for years is merely political debate. Hamas has not adopted this matter as an official policy, because the weapon of resistance is a national and legitimate right that cannot be bargained away.”
Hamdan further stated that “Israel does not need pretexts, as it has practised genocide against our people since 1948. What we demand first is Israeli withdrawal and the presence of international forces on the borders to separate the occupation from the Palestinians and prevent violations of the ceasefire, before any further discussion.”
The Hamas official also explained that the Palestinian resistance signed onto the first four points of the paper presented by US President Donald Trump in Sharm El Sheikh. These included a cessation of the war, prisoner exchanges, the entry of humanitarian relief, and withdrawal of the occupation to the so called Yellow Line, with a promise of full withdrawal to the borders of the Gaza Strip at a later stage.
He accused the occupation of obstructing the implementation of this phase, preventing the entry of medical aid, hindering the rehabilitation of hospitals and municipal institutions, and blocking the entry of the administrative committee despite international consensus on its formation.
