Hamas announces it will not surrender its weapons

The militant group Hamas has officially declared its intention to retain its weaponry despite mounting international pressure. Leadership within the organization emphasized that they would not accept any form of foreign rule over the Gaza Strip. According to senior officials, the group's arsenal is considered an essential component of their resistance against Israel. This defiant stance directly contradicts the disarmament demands set forth by both the United States and Israel. Furthermore, surrendering weapons was a key condition for the second phase of a ceasefire plan proposed by Donald Trump. This development significantly complicates ongoing efforts to establish a lasting peace agreement in the region.