Hamas Rejects Netanyahu’s Peace Plan: “We Will Not Disarm or Leave Gaza”

Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha issued a defiant response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s press conference, categorically rejecting Israel’s proposed conditions for ending the war in Gaza, as reported by The Jerusalem Post. Netanyahu outlined a clear framework for peace, which Hamas dismissed as “a continuation of the policy of evasion.” Taha declared, “His conditions and dictates are completely rejected, we will not give up our weapons and we completely refuse the demand to exile the resistance leadership from the Gaza Strip.” This outright refusal underscores Hamas’s commitment to maintaining its military arsenal and governance in Gaza, revealing a clear intent to perpetuate violence against Israel and the Jewish people rather than pursue peace.

The conditions laid out by Netanyahu, which Hamas has rejected, are:

Hamas’s insistence on retaining its weapons and leadership highlights its disregard for Gaza’s civilian population, who endure hardship under the group’s oppressive rule and are often exploited as propaganda tools to fuel anti-Israel sentiment when casualties occur. By rejecting a path to peace, Hamas prioritizes its goal of eliminating Israel over alleviating the suffering of Palestinians. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s openness to a temporary ceasefire for hostage release, stating, “If there is a chance for a temporary ceasefire to bring back hostages, we are ready for it.” Yet, he vowed to intensify military efforts, noting, “Operation Gideon’s Chariots began three days ago. Ask the residents of Sderot and the Gaza envelope, their houses are shaking from the force of the IDF’s fire.”

Israel’s campaign aims to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure, with Netanyahu asserting, “Our forces are seizing more and more territories in Gaza. At the end, all of the territories in the Gaza Strip will be under Israeli security control.” Hamas’s rejection of these terms exposes its extremist agenda, holding Gaza’s civilians hostage to a cycle of violence driven by a desire to destroy Israel rather than foster peace.