Hamas rules out disarmament before Israel meets ceasefire terms
Hamas’s military spokesman, Abu Obeida, said on Sunday that the group’s disarmament in Gaza would not be discussed before Israel fulfils its obligations under the first phase of the US-led ceasefire agreement.
In a pre-recorded speech, Abu Obeida also expressed support for Iran’s strikes on Israel, mourned the death of Ali Khamenei, and accused ceasefire mediators of placing pressure on Palestinian factions while ignoring Israeli violations.
He described the US–Israeli war on Iran as an extension of the genocide in Gaza.
"The heinous crimes committed by the Zionist-American aggression against our brothers in the Islamic Republic remind the world of the genocidal crimes in Gaza," he said.
"We mourn all the righteous martyrs of the Republic and its great leaders, foremost among them the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the great martyr Sayyid Ali Khamenei."
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Abu Obeida praised strikes carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, saying Hamas’s armed wing was following developments "with immense pride and admiration". He added that Iran’s campaign was a continuation of the 7 October attack launched by Hamas.
He also referred to a message of solidarity from Iran, delivered via a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the operational HQ of Iran's Armed Forces, which dedicated some operations to slain Palestinian leaders including Ahmed Yassin and Yahya Sinwar.
Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, introduced its current spokesman in December, confirming that his predecessor had been killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City in August last year. In the same address, it was revealed that the previous spokesman, also known as Abu Obeida, was Huthaifa Samir al-Kahlout. The new spokesman has adopted the same nom de guerre and remains unidentified.
Allowing Israel to breach his commitments
Turning to Gaza, Abu Obeida said mediators were demanding further concessions from Palestinians while allowing Israel to breach its commitments without consequence.
He rejected calls for Hamas to disarm before Israel complies with the agreement, warning that such demands risk prolonging the genocide in Gaza.
"What the enemy is trying to pass today on the Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza through the mediators is extremely dangerous," he said. "What is required is to pressure the entity [Israel] to complete its commitments in the first stage, before talking about the terms of the second stage."
He accused Israel of targeting civilians, restricting aid, closing the Rafah crossing to the wounded, and limiting access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, while the international community focused pressure on Hamas.
Abu Obeida further called on armed groups across the region to act against Israel and urged Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem and within Israel to carry out attacks. He said that Israeli actions would have wider regional consequences.
He warned Israel that its actions would not go unanswered. "Let the enemy know that touching Al-Aqsa and the prisoners will not pass without consequence, no matter the cost to our people, and it will have repercussions upon the occupation state," he said. "Indeed, it will be an additional detonator for the entire region."
He also addressed Syria, describing it as "the beating heart of al-Sham" and praising its historic support for Palestinian refugees.
Syrians in Damascus took to the streets after Friday prayers, staging pro-Palestine protests against Israel’s latest measures targeting Palestinians held in Israeli jails and the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans condemning Israel’s actions, calling for the liberation of Al-Aqsa and expressing solidarity with Palestinian detainees.
The rally formed part of a wider wave of protests across Syria, as anger grows over Israel’s policies towards Palestinians and its continued wars in the region.
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