Hamas’s military wing refuses to disarm, a key issue for US-Israel talks, and confirms the death of its longtime spokesperson Abu Obeida.
GAZA CITY: Hamas’s armed wing has reiterated its refusal to surrender its weapons ahead of a key meeting between US and Israeli leaders.
The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades issued the statement in a video on Monday, just hours before US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
“Our people are defending themselves and will not give up their weapons as long as the occupation remains,” said the group’s new spokesman, who has adopted his predecessor’s nom de guerre, Abu Obeida.
Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said Netanyahu would discuss ensuring “Hamas is disarmed, Gaza is demilitarised” as part of a truce deal’s second phase.
The new Abu Obeida rejected that demand, instead calling for Israel to be disarmed.
“We call on all concerned parties to work toward disarming the lethal weapons of the occupation,” he said.
The statement also confirmed the death of the previous Abu Obeida, months after Israel announced he was killed in a Gaza air strike on August 30.
It announced the deaths of four other Hamas commanders in Israeli attacks during the war.
The late spokesman, whose real name was Hudhayfa Samir al-Kahlout, became a central figure during the conflict.
He was eagerly awaited for official statements from Hamas’s military wing, particularly on hostage-prisoner swaps.
Born in 1985 and raised in Jabalia refugee camp, he joined Hamas early before becoming a Qassam Brigades member and spokesman.
He delivered video statements in military uniform with his face concealed by a red keffiyeh.
Hamas officials described him as a symbol of “resistance” known for fiery speeches threatening Israel.
“For many years, only a very small circle of Hamas officials knew his true identity,” a Hamas official said.
Israel has decimated Hamas’s leadership since the group’s October 7, 2023 attack triggered the war.
