Hamas refuses to surrender arms, promises to hunt down Israeli agents in Gaza post-war

A senior Hamas official has firmly rejected any notion of disarmament and claimed that the group could emerge stronger after the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The warning came as Osama Hamdan, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau, spoke at an Al Jazeera forum in Doha, Qatar. He cautioned other nations against cooperating with Israel in Gaza after the war. “Anyone who comes to fill Israel's role in Gaza will be treated like Israel,” Hamdan said. He further stated, “Anyone wishing to work as an agent of Israel will face the consequences of being an Israeli agent.”

In response to speculations regarding Gaza's future, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his position, stating that after the war, neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority would remain in Gaza. Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to President Donald Trump's vision of creating a new Gaza, one that would serve as a Middle Eastern "Riviera."

Arab nations preparing for post-war Gaza

This warning from Hamas comes at a time when Arab nations are considering post-war plans for Gaza. The United Arab Emirates has expressed its willingness to play a role in Gaza’s reconstruction under a revised Palestinian Authority, suggesting that the region could be reshaped under new leadership after the conflict.

Hamas' disarmament remains off the table

Hamdan also addressed the notion of disarming Hamas, declaring it off the table for discussion. He reiterated that Hamas has not been “eradicated” by the war and is poised to reorganize and expand. “We have an opportunity to grow,” he declared, indicating that the group intends to remain resilient and active after the war.

Hamdan's remarks appear to contradict statements made by another Hamas spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, who claimed that Hamas was not committed to holding onto power. Qassem emphasized that Hamas was focused on providing relief and reconstruction for Gaza’s people, not necessarily taking part in future political or administrative structures.

Experts warn of continuing conflict

Gershon Baskin, a former Israeli hostage negotiator, labeled Hamdan's statements as a “significant development” with troubling implications. He stated that Hamas’ stance indicates a desire for continued war, rejecting proposals for peace and reconstruction. “This tells you everything you need to know about the terrorist group and why a full return to war in Gaza is just a matter of time,” Baskin said.

Muhammad Shahda, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, emphasized that any discussion of disbanding Hamas is a “red line” for the group. He noted that Hamas aims to prevent Israel from permanently establishing control in Gaza, much like its actions in the West Bank. As peace talks continue, the region’s future remains uncertain, with many arguing that a sustainable solution is still far from reach.