The Palestinian movement Hamas has reaffirmed its right to armed resistance under the international law, rejecting all forms of mandate over the Gaza Strip.
The group also has accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on October 10, 2025, urging the US and mediators to press Israel to respect its obligations under the deal.
Armed Resistance
On the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the group’s establishment, Hamas Chief in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, reiterated Hamas’ rejection of giving up its arms until Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian territories.
In a video statement, al-Hayya said that armed resistance is a right guaranteed by the international law, tying it to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State.
“We affirm that the resistance and its weapons are a legitimate right guaranteed under international law to all nations under occupation,” he said. “We are open to studying any proposals to preserve this right while guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and self-determination for our Palestinian nation,” al-Hayya added.
Earlier in December, al-Hayya signaled Hamas’ readiness to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian authority only if the Israeli military ends its occupation of Gaza. “Our weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and the aggression. If the occupation ends, these weapons will be placed under the authority of the state,” he noted.
Israeli Violations
Hamas Chief condemned Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement, warning it jeopardize the deal. In the light of this, he called on the US and mediators to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to implement the deal. This includes halting attacks against Palestinians, opening border crossings – including Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt in both directions – and allowing increased flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Al-Hayya also called for moving forward with the next phase of the agreement, which calls for the full withdrawal of Israeli troops. “Our priority is to continue with the steps to end the war and especially to complete phase one, which includes allowing aid and needed equipment to enter to rehabilitate hospitals and medical centers and the infrastructure,” he said.
Rejecting ISF
Under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, endorsed by the UN in November, an International Stabilization Force (ISF) will be formed and deployed in the plan’s second phase. This force will work with Israel, Egypt and newly trained Palestinian police to help maintain security and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
The Trump administration is considering an American two-star general to lead the force, with deployment expected in early 2026. According to the plan, the ISF will be “the long-term internal security solution,” working to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces, and prevent munitions from entering Gaza.
However, there are concerns over the ISF mandate in Gaza and the possibility of the force engaging in fighting with Hamas. The US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, said that the UNSC resolution authorized the ISF to demilitarize Gaza by all means necessary – which means use of force.
In his statement, Hamas Chief categorically rejected “all forms of guardianship or mandate over the Gaza Strip or any inch of our occupied land,” saying that the ISF should be limited to “maintaining the ceasefire and separating the parties along the Gaza Strip’s border.”
These remarks align with a previously stated position, in which Hamas favored forces working under the umbrella of the UN. “We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza,” al-Hayya said previously.
Gaza Governance
The UN resolution authorizes the formation of a transitional governing body known as the “Board of Peace,” which will supervise and support a Palestinian technocratic, apolitical committee, oversee funding coordination, and establish the blueprint for Gaza’s reconstruction.
It also charts the path for a possible Palestinian State by adopting a stronger language on Palestinian self-determination, stating that upon the completion of the Palestinian Authority’s reforms and Gaza redevelopment, “the conditions may be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
On this matter, al-Hayya noted that Hamas is ready to cooperate with the apolitical technocratic Palestinian committee that would administer the Strip on a civilian level by handing over full responsibilities in all sectors to facilitate its work.
Moreover, he called on Fatah movement, which dominates the Palestinian Authority (PA), to reach an agreement on a joint national program, which includes reviving the Palestinian political life through elections.
