08.02.2026 18:21
A challenge was issued to U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Hamas promised to lay down their arms and has repeatedly threatened the organization regarding this matter. Khaled Mashal, a senior leader of Hamas, stated at a conference held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, that they would not disarm, saying, "Palestinians should govern Palestinians. Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza and Palestine. We will not accept foreign governance."
Khaled Mashal, a senior official of Hamas, spoke at a conference held in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
"WE WILL NOT LAY DOWN OUR ARMS"
Mashal stated that Hamas will not lay down its arms, saying, "Resistance, its weapons, and those who carry it cannot be considered a crime. As long as there is occupation, there is resistance. Resistance is the right of peoples under occupation. It is something that nations take pride in," he said.
"PALESTINIANS MUST BE GOVERNED BY PALESTINIANS, WE WILL NOT ACCEPT FOREIGN RULE"
Khaled Mashal called for adopting a "balanced approach" that would enable the reconstruction of Gaza and humanitarian aid to reach the approximately 2.2 million population, referring to the structure he called the "Peace Council." The Hamas leader emphasized that they will not accept "foreign rule" over Palestinian territories, stating, "We are committed to our national principles and reject the logic of guardianship, foreign intervention, or any form of the return of mandate rule. Palestinians must govern Palestinians. Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza and Palestine. We will not accept foreign rule," he said.
CALL FOR THE ISLAMIC WORLD TO "ACT AS ONE AND IN UNITY"
Mashal expressed appreciation for the mediating roles of Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, and also described the Doha administration's mediation efforts in the region as significant and honorable due to its role in the Palestinian issue. Emphasizing that Israel poses a threat to the entire region, Mashal added that the Islamic world must act as one and in unity against Israel's dangerous steps.
TRUMP HAD CLAIMED THAT HAMAS "PROMISED TO LAY DOWN ITS ARMS"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump argue that Hamas must soon lay down its arms as part of the second phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. President Trump has claimed that Hamas promised to lay down its arms and has threatened the organization multiple times regarding this issue.
Source: AA / İHA