Hamas on Saturday mentioned it will not disarm “so long as the occupation exists,” denying reported remarks on the contrary by US Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff and blasting him for visiting an assist web site run by the controversial, US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Basis.
In an announcement, Hamas vowed to proceed its violent wrestle, saying its proper to take action was assured by worldwide regulation till Palestinians’ “nationwide rights” had been realized, “foremost amongst them… the institution of an unbiased Palestinian state with full sovereignty and Jerusalem as its capital.”
The phobia group additionally assailed Witkoff’s visit to the GHF amid studies of hovering starvation in Gaza, and that lots of of Palestinian assist seekers have been killed close to the company’s 4 distribution websites within the south and middle of the enclave since they began working in mid-Could.
“The American administration is a full associate within the crime of hunger and genocide,” mentioned Hamas. It added that Witkoff’s go to was “nothing greater than a pre-arranged theatrical efficiency” to supply Israel with “political cowl for managing hunger and persevering with the systematic killing of kids and unarmed civilians from our individuals.”
The phobia group known as on the US “to bear its historic accountability by lifting the duvet from the crime of the century in Gaza and transferring towards a ceasefire settlement that results in ending the aggression.”
Israel has vociferously denied the declare it’s committing genocide within the Gaza Strip, saying it takes steps to mitigate hurt to civilians and accusing Hamas of utilizing civilians and human shields. Jerusalem has additionally rejected as Hamas propaganda allegations that it’s purposely ravenous the territory, and accuses the fear group of hijacking UN assist deliveries.
US particular envoy Steve Witkoff (R) and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee (middle) tour a Gaza Humanitarian Basis distribution web site on August 1, 2025. (Steve Witkoff/X)
GHF, which seeks to avoid Hamas within the distribution of assist, launched its operations in Could, sidelining the longstanding UN-led humanitarian system simply as Israel was starting to ease a greater than two-month assist blockade it had imposed on Gaza.
Different humanitarian teams have refused to cooperate with the GHF, saying its distribution plan places aid-seekers at risk. Because the group started working in Gaza, Hamas’s civil protection company and overseas correspondents inside Gaza have reported frequent incidents through which Israeli troops have opened fireplace on crowds of determined Palestinian civilians approaching GHF facilities in search of meals.
Palestinians collect at an assist distribution level arrange by the Gaza Humanitarian Basis (GHF), close to the Nuseirat refugee camp within the central Gaza Strip on June 25, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)
Israel has accused Hamas of attacking Gazan assist seekers and falsifying demise tolls, however has additionally acknowledged that Palestinian civilians have been killed close to GHF assist distribution websites. The IDF says troops have been issued new directions following what it known as “classes discovered.”
Witkoff: No ‘good information’ to share on ceasefire-hostage talks
Hamas’s vow to retain its arsenal got here 4 days after an unprecedented declaration by your entire Arab League, in addition to dozens of different nations, urging the fear group to disarm and condemning its onslaught of October 7, 2023, which sparked the battle in Gaza.
Witkoff appeared to allude to the declaration when he informed hostage households throughout a go to to Tel Aviv’s Hostages Sq. on Saturday that “some Arab nations are demanding that Hamas disarm,” in line with Hebrew media accounts of his feedback.
“Hamas mentioned that it is able to demilitarize,” Witkoff reportedly mentioned.
On the identical time, he informed the hostage households that he has no “good information” to share with them concerning the Gaza ceasefire-hostage talks, which have stalled for over per week following the US and Israel’s withdrawal of their negotiators from Doha.
US particular envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to hostages’ households at Hostages Sq., in Tel Aviv, August 2, 2025. (Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board)
“I want I had good information for you, but it surely’s a super-complicated state of affairs and I don’t have good information for you,” mentioned Witkoff, in line with audio from the assembly printed by Channel 12. “Do I imagine we’re going to achieve success right here in the end? I do, for lots of causes and a few of these I can’t talk about proper now.”
Witkoff additionally mentioned that US President Donald Trump was now in search of a complete deal to finish the battle and produce all of the hostages house, echoing a senior Israeli official who had informed reporters Thursday that “there will probably be no extra partial offers” with Hamas.
Within the audio printed by Channel 12, Witkoff may very well be heard saying: “No piecemeal offers… that doesn’t work.” He additionally reportedly known as negotiations with Hamas irritating, accusing the fear group of failing to face by its phrase.
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board has slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for repeatedly presenting proposals that might launch solely a number of the remaining 50 hostages, 28 of whom have been confirmed lifeless by the IDF.
