Its armed wing declared today, once again, that it will not lay down its arms, a few hours before the meeting of the American president with the Israeli prime minister in Florida, USA, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss its future. At the same time, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades confirmed the death of their representative, Abu Obeida, which Israel had announced since August.
“Our people are defending themselves and will not lay down their arms as long as the occupation continues. He will not surrender, even if he has to fight with his bare hands,” said his successor – who has adopted the same pseudonym – in a video posted on the Telegram platform.
The message was released ahead of the scheduled meeting between the Israeli prime minister and the US president. The US and regional mediators are seeking to speed up the process to start the second phase of a fragile truce that has been in effect since October in the Gaza Strip. At the heart of the talks is the question of disarming Hamas, something the Palestinian movement rejects.
“We call on all parties involved to work to disarm the occupation forces, who have used and continue to use lethal weapons to exterminate our people,” the spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing said today.
