Hamas Defies Puppet Abbas’ Disarmament Appeal Amid Ongoing Zionist Occupation

Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi, in a statement to Al-Jazeera, firmly dismissed President Abbas’s appeal to surrender the resistance’s weapons, asserting that such a move is unacceptable while the occupation persists on Palestinian territory.

Mardawi urged Abbas to align with the will of the people and actively engage in efforts to resist the occupation.

The statement emphasizes a firm rejection of partial agreements, citing past experiences where the occupation allegedly used such deals to perpetuate its aggression against their people.

Mahmoud, during his visit to Baghdad for the 34th Arab League Summit on Friday, urged Hamas to relinquish its arsenal to the Palestinian Authority forces operating in the West Bank.

In a speech delivered at the Arab League summit in Baghdad, Abbas addressed grave concerns over the Palestinian plight, stating that the current genocidal actions in Gaza are integral to a colonial agenda that threatens the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency.

He stated that the Palestinian vision endorses the implementation of an Arab strategy aimed at halting Zionist assaults and establishing peace in the region.

Abbas stated that the Palestinian Authority is undertaking a wide-ranging reform initiative, encompassing all its institutions.

In response to a significant escalation in hostilities, as Israeli military forces intensified their operations in Gaza by deploying tens of thousands of additional troops, including both active-duty soldiers and reservists, Abbas issued a call for the surrender of arms.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israeli forces are anticipated to advance into Gaza as military operations intensify in the upcoming days, pressuring Hamas to acquiesce to the demands set forth by the Israeli government.

Amid the launch of Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ in Gaza, it has been reported that the Hamas delegation in Doha has indicated a willingness to resume negotiations on a hostage deal. This marks a shift from their previous uncompromising stance, as claimed by Katz.

In a pressing development, United Nations agencies have issued warnings concerning the Israeli regime’s comprehensive blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza. This blockade has precipitated severe shortages in essential supplies such as food, clean water, fuel, and medicines, with an increasing risk of famine reported.

The 77-day blockade imposed by Israeli authorities has led to severe famine and a rise in mortality rates, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. The office criticized the United States, accusing it of causing the dire situation following Washington’s commitment to lift the blockade in Gaza if Edan Alexander is released.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, military actions by Israeli forces in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 53,000 Palestinians.

The Gaza Government Media Office has revised its casualty figures, reporting the death toll now exceeds 61,700. Thousands more are believed to be deceased but remain unaccounted for beneath the rubble.