Palestinian political and analytical circles have converged on the view that Israel, under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, continues to stall and fabricate pretexts despite the handover of the last Israeli prisoner’s remains. This is allegedly done by attempting to link the implementation of the agreement to the issue of disarming the resistance.
Palestinians maintain their full commitment to the terms of the agreement, their legitimate right to self-defense, and the necessity of compelling the occupation to withdraw, open crossings, allow aid, and initiate reconstruction.
Hossam Badran, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, affirmed that the movement is committed to dealing with the issue of Palestinian arms within national parameters and international laws. He emphasized that Palestinian arms are a natural right for self-defense, managed internally according to the will of the Palestinian people, and not in response to the occupation’s demands or external pressure.
In an interview, Badran stated that the discovery of the last Israeli soldier’s remains in Gaza negates all excuses for the Netanyahu government to obstruct the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. He asserted that the resistance has fulfilled all its obligations, handing over all living prisoners and remains as agreed upon with mediators and international guarantors.
Badran pointed out that the occupation continues to delay fulfilling its obligations, primarily opening the Rafah crossing in both directions. He considers the continued delay as confirmation that the issue of remains was merely a pretext to obstruct the transition to the second phase of the agreement.
Badran called on mediators and guarantors to exert more effort and serious pressure to compel Israel to implement the terms of the agreement, including complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the commencement of reconstruction. He warned against Netanyahu’s attempts to link the second phase, concerning reconstruction and aid, to the issue of disarming the resistance. Badran affirmed that Hamas rejects any conditions that would empty the agreement of its content, and that the issue of arms is an internal Palestinian matter decided solely by Palestinians. He noted that the second phase is more dangerous and important.
