Exclusive: Hamas Responds to U.S. Proposals on Disarmament and Ceasefire Talks

Gaza (Quds News Network)- Hamas political bureau member Hussam Badran confirmed, speaking to Quds News Network that indirect negotiations with Israel continue daily through mediators. He emphasized Hamas’ commitment to the January 17 agreement and noted that various proposals are being discussed to resume its implementation.

Speaking exclusively to Quds News Network, Badran dismissed U.S. Middle East envoy Steven Wietkoff’s proposal to disarm Hamas. “As long as the occupation exists, this idea is meaningless,” he said.

He stressed that the Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves against an enemy equipped with deadly weapons, including fighter jets, tanks, and nuclear arms. “What must be guaranteed protection from aggression is the Palestinian people, who defend themselves with self-defense weapons against an enemy that possesses lethal arms.”

“When we talk about the resistance’s weapons, we are talking about the weapons of the Palestinian people, used to resist occupation as guaranteed by international law,” he added.

On Wietkoff’s suggestion for ceasefire negotiations, Badran blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for undermining previous agreements. “Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, violated the ceasefire deal. Even while negotiations continued, he resumed his aggression,” he stated.

Badran argued that Netanyahu’s decisions are driven by political and personal interests. “Anyone objectively observing this war knows that Netanyahu is waging it for his own political survival,” he said.

He also highlighted that regional actors following the conflict recognize Netanyahu’s lack of concern for Israeli prisoners held by the resistance. “Netanyahu has his own agenda, and it takes priority over everything else,” he said.

Responding to Wietkoff’s statement that Hamas is an ideological movement that “cannot be eradicated,” Badran downplayed external opinions. “Evaluations from different parties are not a priority for us,” he said.

He reaffirmed that Hamas derives its legitimacy from the Palestinian people. “We fight, resist, and engage politically to defend our people and their aspirations,” he said.

Badran dismissed any notion that Hamas is merely an idea. “Hamas is a strong and deeply rooted movement within Palestinian society. Eliminating it is impossible because it draws its strength from a people fighting for freedom,” he stated.

Addressing governance in Gaza, Badran reiterated Hamas’ stance since the early days of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.” “We made it clear to all national and international parties that this is a Palestinian issue. Only Palestinians will decide who governs them,” he said.

He recalled that Hamas had agreed to form a national unity government to manage Palestinian affairs in Gaza and the West Bank. “This was part of the Beijing Agreement in July 2023, attended by all factions,” he noted.

However, due to Fatah’s refusal to implement the agreement, Hamas accepted an alternative Egyptian proposal. “We agreed to form a support committee of independent figures to manage Gaza’s affairs while maintaining coordination with the government in the West Bank,” Badran explained.