Hamas has doubled down on its stance that Palestinian factions will only consider disarming if Israel fully honors the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, senior official Mahmoud Mardawi declared this week. The statement comes as tensions linger over last year's fragile truce that began October 10, 2025.
🔑 Mardawi emphasized that weapons remain a 'red line' tied to Palestinian political goals, stating: 'Progress depends on Israel’s withdrawal and compliance with signed agreements.' He reiterated Hamas’s commitment to the ceasefire but warned that disarmament requires a clear path to statehood. 'An independent Palestine would place weapons under legitimate authority,' he added.
⚡ The current ceasefire initially focused on prisoner swaps and aid access. A proposed Phase Two—still under negotiation—aims to link Israeli military withdrawal with Hamas disarmament and Gaza’s reconstruction. However, trust remains thin: Mardawi stressed mutual accountability, saying lasting peace needs 'more than signatures on paper.'
🌱 Young activists globally are watching closely, with many calling for renewed diplomacy. As one Twitter user put it: 'Same script, new year? Let’s break the cycle.' Will 2026 finally bring durable solutions? Stay tuned.
