Hamas has reiterate its stance that it will not disarm until a sovereign Palestinian state is established. The group responded to US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who said Hamas had expressed willingness to lay down its weapons. Israel considers disarmament of Hamas a key condition for any deal to end the conflict.
Arab governments have urged Hamas to disarm and surrender control of Gaza, while Western countries including France and Canada plan to recognize Palestine. The UK will do so if certain conditions are met by September. Hamas has refused to give up its right to “resistance” and weapons unless a fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is established.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned that there would be no respite in fighting in Gaza if negotiations failed to quickly secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. A family of hostage Evyatar David issued a statement, accusing Hamas of starving him as part of a propaganda campaign and appealing for help from the Israeli government and US.
UN agencies have reported mass starvation in Gaza, blaming Israel’s control over aid deliveries. The Washington negotiator said peace efforts should focus on ending the conflict and bringing home all hostages, rather than partial deals. At least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed seeking food since late May, with most deaths attributed to Israeli military near aid distribution sites.
The conflict has resulted in more than 60,000 deaths in Gaza, with 169 people dying from malnutrition. The humanitarian crisis continues, with tensions high between Israel and Hamas.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce35nx49reko