Hamas says it won't disarm unless independent Palestinian state established - as it condemns 'staged' US Gaza visit

Tensions in the Middle East escalated as Hamas declared it will not disarm unless a fully sovereign Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital. This declaration came after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff claimed Hamas showed willingness to lay down arms—an assertion Hamas quickly rejected. Israel, meanwhile, maintains disarmament as a non-negotiable precondition for any ceasefire deal. As ceasefire negotiations stall, pressure builds from Western and Arab nations urging Hamas to give up arms. Meanwhile, a shocking video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David emaciated in captivity triggered a fresh wave of outrage. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with UN agencies reporting hundreds killed while seeking aid. U.S. envoy Witkoff, currently in Israel, has met with hostage families and criticized partial peace plans. With over 60,000 deaths in Gaza and starvation rising, global calls intensify for an urgent resolution to end the bloodshed. #gaza #hamas #israel #trump #witkoff #hostagecrisis #ceasefire #gazawar #palestine #netanyahu #usenvoy #twostatesolution #humanitariancatastrophe #gazafamine #idf #reconstruction #telavivprotests #gazaceasefire #hamasdisarmament #middleeastpeace ~HT.410~GR.124~ED.102~