![Pro-Palestinian activists continue to rally outside The United Nations (UN) and The Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN, during the UN Conference on Palestine to demand 'an end to the siege on Gaza and the entry of essential food into Gaza' on July 29, 2025, in New York City, United States.[Selçuk Acar - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/AA-20250730-38701937-38701917-PROPALESTINIAN_PROTESTERS_CONTINUE_TO_RALLY_OUTSIDE_THE_UN_AND_SAUDI_MISSION.jpg)
The Palestinian resistance group Hamas said Saturday it will not give up its arms unless an “independent, fully sovereign” Palestinian state is established, Anadolu reports. The statement came following reports by the Israeli daily Haaretz citing a recording attributed to US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff: “Hamas has said that they are prepared to be demilitarized.” “We are very, very close to a solution to end this war,” Witkoff is also heard saying, according to Haaretz. “Commenting on reports by some media outlets quoting US envoy Steve Witkoff as saying the movement expressed willingness to disarm, we reiterate that resistance and its weapons are a national and legitimate right as long as the occupation continues — a right recognized by […]
