Published

Gaza War:

According to Special Envoy Witkoff, the US has a plan to end the war. This requires the disarmament of Hamas—their response is clear.

That's what it's about

• Hamas insists on a Palestinian state as a condition for disarmament.
• US plan to end Gaza war calls for disarmament of Hamas.
• Israel's government rejects the two-state solution and claims the West Bank.
• Hamas accepts the 1967 borders but does not recognize Israel's right to exist.

The Islamist Hamas in the embattled Gaza Strip firmly rejects laying down its weapons until an independent Palestinian state is established. The armed resistance can only be abandoned when the rights of the Palestinians are fully realized, in particular the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, according to a statement from the Islamist terrorist organization.

US special envoy speaks of end of war – Hamas reacts

Hamas was responding to statements by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who, according to media reports, said at a meeting with relatives of hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip that Hamas, according to its own statements, was ready for demilitarization."We are close to the end of this war," Witkoff said at the meeting in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, according to a statement from the Hostage Families Forum."We have a plan to end the war and bring everyone home."

Hamas and Israel disagree over borders

Hamas claims all of historical Palestine – including the present-day territory of Israel. However, in a 2017 policy document, it accepts a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders – that is, consisting of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. It does not recognize Israel's right to exist. The Israeli government is also opposed to a two-state solution. The prevailing view there is that the West Bank and East Jerusalem belong to Israel for historical and religious reasons.