Gaza City, August 2, 2025 —Hamas, the Palestinian political and militant organisation that governs the Gaza Strip, has declared that it will not lay down its arms unless a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state is established based on internationally recognised borders.
The group’s statement came amid renewed diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and increasing international calls for a long-term ceasefire and disarmament in Gaza. Despite ongoing pressure, Hamas officials maintain that any disarmament or demilitarisation would be conditional on the full realisation of Palestinian statehood.
“There can be no talk of laying down weapons while our people remain under occupation, our lands are fragmented, and our rights denied,” said a senior Hamas spokesperson in Gaza, reaffirming the group’s long-standing position.
The group continues to demand the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital — a demand that aligns with international consensus under the two-state solution framework but has remained elusive due to decades of stalled negotiations and on-the-ground complexities.
Hamas’s statement follows recent reports of behind-the-scenes talks between regional actors and international mediators seeking a durable ceasefire in Gaza and a broader regional security pact. However, the group insists that any solution must first guarantee an end to the Israeli blockade, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied territories, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees — core tenets of the Palestinian struggle for statehood.
In the meantime, Gaza continues to suffer under severe humanitarian strain. The United Nations has warned of rapidly worsening conditions, with basic infrastructure near collapse and more than two-thirds of the population dependent on food and medical aid.
Israeli officials have not directly responded to the latest statement from Hamas but have repeatedly said that any lasting peace would require the complete demilitarisation of the enclave and recognition of Israel’s right to exist — demands Hamas has historically rejected.
Diplomatic observers say the deadlock underscores the depth of mistrust and competing narratives that have long undermined peace efforts in the region.
With tensions high and the humanitarian crisis deepening, the international community continues to face mounting pressure to re-engage with a political process capable of delivering both security and justice to Israelis and Palestinians alike.
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