Hamas negotiators demand Jerusalem be Palestinian state capital

Times

a day ago

Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement, which reasserts a long-held demand by the group, seemingly came in response to a declaration by the Arab League last week that called for Hamas to lay down its weapons and release all remaining hostages. On Tuesday, the 22 member nations called for Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza and hand it over to the Palestinian Authority, which rules the West Bank.
After comments from Steve Witkoff, the US's envoy to the Middle East, claiming that Hamas was willing to disarm, the militant group said: '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.'
Qatar and Egypt, which have mediated ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel, endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia that outlined steps towards a two-state solution. Part of this required Hamas to relinquish its weapons to the western-backed Palestinian Authority.
Israel has previously stated that it considers the disarmament of Hamas a core component of any agreement to end the conflict, while Hamas has reiterated that it is not prepared to hand over its weapons.
Hamas expelled the Palestinian Authority from Gaza in 2007, when it took control of the strip, imposing its authoritarian brand of Islamist rule. The US and other western nations, as well as the Arab League, argue that the authority is best placed to rule Gaza.
However, it is widely despised by Palestinians, who see it as corrupt. They are united in their distaste for President Abbas, 89, and any attempt to install him as the ruler of Gaza is likely to meet resistance.
Sir Keir Starmer announced plans on Wednesday to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire. This follows the lead set by President Macron and has been joined by Canada.
• Keir Starmer says he will not back down on Palestinian state pledge
In response, Binyamin Netanyahu said that the decision rewarded 'Hamas's monstrous terrorism' and 'punishes its victims'.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli woman who was held captive by Hamas, accused Starmer of 'moral failure' and said the move would 'embolden extremists'. Starmer was also warned by some of Britain's most prominent lawyers that the pledge risked breaking international law.