Hamas has refused to disarm and will only surrender weapons once an autonomous Palestinian nation exists with Jerusalem serving as its capital.
Saturday’s announcement from the Palestinian militant organisation said that “armed resistance cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of our national rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital”.
This position emerged as Western nations prepare to debate Palestinian recognition at September’s UN General Assembly.
The timing follows pressure from Arab nations for the organisation to cease military operations and transfer control to Palestinian civil authorities.
Britain, France and Canada have committed to backing Palestinian statehood at the United Nations gathering in September.
The Prime Minister indicated this move would proceed unless Israel fulfils specific requirements, which include halting what he described as the “appalling” conditions in Gaza.
Critics have noted the absence of demands placed on the militant group, particularly regarding the liberation of approximately 50 individuals still held captive.
Speaking to ITV, Starmer emphasised the urgency of addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, where he said “children and babies starving for want of aid which could be delivered”.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
REUTERS |
Hamas refuses to disarm and will only surrender weapons once an autonomous Palestinian nation exists with Jerusalem serving as its capital
He said: “That is why I’ve said unless things materially change on the ground, we’ll have to assess this in September, we will recognise Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly.”
The Arab League of Nations, alongside all 27 European Union member states and 17 additional countries including Britain, have issued a joint declaration demanding the militant group cease its governance of Gaza.
The statement calls for the organisation to “end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objectives of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state”.
This international coalition seeks to align the disarmament process with broader objectives for Palestinian sovereignty.
REUTERS
|
It follows weeks of reports that food-seekers face being shot at, stabbed or trampled to death during rushes to get vital life-saving aid
The militant group’s vision for statehood encompasses an Islamic nation spanning the territory of present-day Israel, whose existence it rejects.
Recent indirect talks between the militant group and Israel seeking a 60-day truce and hostage agreement collapsed without resolution last week.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli citizen previously held by the organisation for an extended period, expressed being “deeply saddened” by the Prime Minister’s position, claiming he was “not standing on the right side of history”.
Saturday saw further casualties in Gaza, with medical facilities reporting over 12 deaths, including eight individuals attempting to obtain food supplies.
REUTERS
|
Jerusalem is an ancient city of the Middle East that, since 1967, has been wholly under the rule of the State of Israel
It follows weeks of reports that food-seekers face being shot at, stabbed or trampled to death during rushes to get vital life-saving aid.
Israeli soldiers have been accused of shooting at civilians in Gaza, but they insist Hamas infiltrated the aid drops.
The conflict originated when the militant group launched an assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians.
Israel’s subsequent military response has caused over 60,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
