Hamas says it will not disarm because Israel continues to target Palestinians in Gaza

[0:00] Let's take a look at what else is making news around the world right now. [0:03] In the Gaza Strip, Hamas says it will not disarm. [0:07] Disarmament is part of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan, [0:10] but the armed group says calls to lay down its weapons are unacceptable, [0:15] especially as Palestinians continue to be targeted by Israel. [0:18] More than 700 people have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect in October. [0:26] As for raising the issue of weapons in this crude manner, [0:29] it is nothing but a scandalous attempt by the occupation to continue killing and genocide against our people, [0:35] which we will not accept under any circumstances. [0:39] We affirm that what the enemy was unable to seize from us with tanks and genocide, [0:43] it will not seize from us with politics or at the negotiation table. [0:48] The occupation's aggression against our people and its continued closure of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque [0:53] to worshippers in an unprecedented manner, [0:55] and the approval of the law for executing Palestinian prisoners, [0:58] we call upon the masses of our Palestinian people in the brave West Bank, [1:02] the blessed Jerusalem and the occupied interior to march toward Al-Aqsa Mosque. [1:08] Let's speak to Mouan Roubani, managing editor of Jalaliyah [1:11] and non-resident fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs. [1:15] He joins us from Montreal. Good to have you with us. [1:18] Hamas is now openly saying the disarmament is off the table under any circumstances. [1:24] How significant is that? [1:26] What does it tell us about where these talks relate? [1:29] Well, it basically confirms that the talks are completely deadlocked for the following reasons. [1:37] What Hamas informed the mediators is that it will not discuss issues such as disarmament [1:45] relating to the second phase of the plan for the Gaza Strip [1:51] until the items of the first phase are implemented. [1:55] That includes a cessation of hostilities, as you noted. [1:59] Virtual daily is required. [2:01] The Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in more than 700 Palestinians killed. [2:06] Humanitarian aid continues to be restricted. [2:09] And most notably, this National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip, [2:14] which was established by the Board of Peace, [2:17] continues to be prohibited from entering the Gaza Strip by the Israelis. [2:21] And the Board of Peace is doing absolutely nothing to ensure its ability to get in. [2:28] And so I think Hamas is taking two positions. [2:31] A, it won't discuss the second phase until the first phase is properly implemented. [2:37] And B, when those discussions do take place, [2:40] it's not going to simply surrender its weapons [2:43] unless Israel clearly meets its own obligations as well. [2:49] And those are obligations that have to be consistent, [2:53] not just with what the Board of Peace wants, [2:55] but with the international consensus and the rulings of the International Court of Justice, [3:01] that this is an illegal occupation that must end. [3:05] Abu Ubaidah called these demands extremely dangerous. [3:08] Is this a warning to the mediators that the entire ceasefire is at risk of collapsing? [3:15] Well, there isn't really a ceasefire. [3:17] If you consider that daily shootings and bombings [3:20] during a supposed ceasefire agreement render that ceasefire null and void, [3:27] it has been the case that Hamas has thus far refrained, [3:32] from responding to these continuous Israeli attacks. [3:35] And I suspect that its ability to respond is very limited. [3:39] But what we're also seeing now is that very similar to Israeli demands [3:43] with respect to Hezbollah in Lebanon, with respect to Iran, [3:48] it seems to be a consistent Israeli demand [3:51] that its enemies are not entitled to have any weapons, [3:54] while Israel retains the capacity to launch unrestrained attacks for them. [3:59] And I think this is really, if you sift through these statements, [4:02] what the Palestinians are saying is, [4:05] no, we won't accept that we will be completely disarmed [4:10] and you can simply continue with your genocide as if nothing has happened. [4:14] If disarmament is off the table, [4:17] what does that mean for the future governance of Gaza? [4:23] Well, the future governance of Gaza remains very much in the balance [4:28] because, as I noted a few moments ago, [4:31] Israel continues to prohibit [4:33] the committee that was established to govern the Gaza Strip [4:36] from even visiting the Gaza Strip. [4:38] And those who appointed them and who have real power over the Israelis [4:42] are doing absolutely nothing to change Israel's mind in this respect. [4:48] As you may recall, a few months ago, [4:51] Israel consistently stated that if Hamas did not disarm, [4:56] that it would then once again launch a massive invasion of the Gaza Strip. [5:03] I think that's currently not on the table, [5:05] given the wars against Lebanon and Iran. [5:09] But I think it needs to be considered as a very serious possibility. [5:13] And it's not at all surprising that, as Israel continues to make these threats, [5:18] that the Palestinians are saying, [5:20] only when we have clear guarantees, not only about a real ceasefire, [5:25] but also about a real Israeli withdrawal, [5:28] only then will serious discussions about disarmament be considered. [5:33] Good to talk to you again, sir. [5:34] Many thanks indeed for being with us. [5:35] Mohamed Roubani there in Montreal. [5:37] Thank you.