Hamas vows to never lay guns down unless demand is met as thugs share sick clip of hostage ‘forced to dig his own grave'
It comes as the militant group - declared a terrorist organisation by the UK and the US - released a sick video showing an emaciated Israeli hostage in a tunnel.
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Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a hostages' release in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip in February
Credit: AP
The militant group said it was giving a statement "in response to media reports quoting US envoy Steve Witkoff, claiming [Hamas] has shown willingness to disarm".
It said: "We reaffirm that resistance and its arms are a legitimate national and legal right as long as the occupation continues.
"This right is recognised by international laws and norms, and it cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of our national rights - first and foremost, the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."
Hamas also released a video showing an Israeli man - Evyatar David - held hostage in what looks like a tunnel.
Evyatar was taken from the Nova Music Festival on 7 October 2023.
His family have given permission for media outlets to show the video.
Last week, indirect talks between Hamas and Israel ended in deadlock, stalling efforts to secure a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and a deal for the release of hostages.
Hamas has dominated Gaza since 2007, but has been militarily weakened by Israel in the war.
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Israel considers the disarmament of Hamas a key condition for a deal to end the conflict.
But Hamas has repeatedly said it will not lay down its guns.
Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a future independent Palestinian state would be a platform to destroy Israel.
For this reason, Netanyahu added, security control over Palestinian territories must remain with Israel.
He also criticised the UK and Canada for their plans to recognise a Palestinian state.
At least 51 people, including 27 aid workers, have been killed on Saturday in Israeli attacks across Gaza.
Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war.
The war began when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza.
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