Hamas Reacts to Disarmament Reports; 18 Killed in Israeli Fire

Hamas Rejects Disarmament Without Independent Palestinian State

Hamas has stated that it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital. The militant group issued a statement in response to US envoy Steve Witkoff's comments claiming Hamas was willing to disarm. Hamas reaffirmed that resistance and arms are legitimate rights as long as the occupation persists, recognized by international laws. The group condemned Witkoff's visit to a Gaza aid distribution center as a staged show.

US envoy Steve Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited a Gaza aid center run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Hamas criticized the visit as an attempt to mislead the public and provide political cover for the occupation's actions in Gaza.

In Gaza, witness accounts reported 18 people killed by Israeli fire, including those trying to access food. The GHF denied any incidents at or near their sites, despite eyewitness reports of violence. The GHF, backed by the US and Israel, has faced controversy and fatal shootings since its establishment.

Dr. Tom Adamkiewicz, working at a Gaza hospital, described the situation as Palestinians being shot at like rabbits, a level of barbarity unseen before. The Israel Defence Forces denied intentional harm to civilians, blaming Hamas for chaos and endangering civilians.

The conflict in Gaza began when Hamas militants attacked Israel in October 2023, killing civilians and abducting others. Israel's retaliatory actions have resulted in casualties, with Hamas reporting over 60,000 Palestinians killed, including militants and civilians.