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Hamas's armed wing has publicly rejected demands for disarmament, calling them an attempt to continue the war on Gaza and insisting that the issue cannot be discussed until Israel fully implements the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire. The statement, delivered by the group's armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida (also spelled Obeida), was reported by both Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post on April 5, 2026.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post, citing Reuters, reported that Hamas's armed wing spokesperson said raising the issue of weapons “in a crude manner” would not be accepted. Al Jazeera's coverage emphasized the group's characterization of the disarmament demands as an attempt to continue what it called "the genocide against the Palestinian people," a phrase also quoted by the Jerusalem Post. Both outlets noted that the issue of Hamas relinquishing its weapons is a major obstacle in talks to implement US President Donald Trump's proposed "Board of Peace" plan for Gaza, which aims to cement a ceasefire that halted full-scale fighting last October.

Al Jazeera also provided additional context, reporting that since the ceasefire took effect, more than 705 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. This figure was not included in the Jerusalem Post report. The Jerusalem Post, in contrast, noted that it remains unclear whether the comments amount to a formal rejection of the US-backed disarmament plan, as Hamas political officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Key Claims

  • Hamas's rejection of disarmament: According to both Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post, Hamas's armed wing has stated it will not discuss disarmament before Israel fully implements the first phase of the ceasefire. The group's spokesperson described the demands as an attempt to continue what he called "a genocide against the Palestinian people." This claim is consistent across the reports.
  • Disarmament as a major obstacle: Both outlets, citing multiple sources, reported that the issue of Hamas relinquishing its weapons is a significant hurdle in implementing the proposed peace plan. Hamas has told mediators it will not discuss disarmament without guarantees that Israel will completely withdraw from Gaza, according to three sources who spoke to Reuters.
  • Casualty figures since the ceasefire: A single outlet, Al Jazeera, reported that more than 705 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect in October, citing the Palestinian news agency Wafa. This figure has not been independently corroborated by other sources in the provided coverage.
  • Broader war casualties: Al Jazeera also reported that Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured at least 172,000 others. Additionally, the outlet reported that Israel's assault on Lebanon has killed more than 1,400 people and displaced over 1.2 million. These figures come from a single source and lack independent verification in this coverage.

Perspectives

Hamas's armed wing, through its spokesperson, frames disarmament as an unacceptable concession while Israel continues military operations. The group insists that Israel must fully implement the ceasefire's first phase and withdraw completely from Gaza before any discussion of weapons. Israel, as reported by the Jerusalem Post, is portrayed as calling for "an illusory peace through brute force," a characterization attributed to Hamas. The mediators' role, particularly Qatar and the US, is highlighted as crucial in pressuring both sides to adhere to the ceasefire terms. The reports do not include direct responses from Israeli officials to these latest statements.