In a definitive address at a conference in Doha, Qatar, Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal articulated the Palestinian movement’s firm rejection of any foreign control over Gaza and its refusal to surrender its weapons. This stance directly challenges calls for disarmament from both Israel and the United States.
Meshaal defended the right to armed resistance as long as Israeli occupation persists, stating, ‘Criminalising the resistance, its weapons and those who have led it is something we should not accept… Resistance is the right of people under occupation. It is something nations are proud of.’
This declaration comes as the second phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire initiative, initiated in mid-January following a nominal truce on October 10, envisions Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual Israeli military withdrawal from the enclave.
Parallel to these political developments, Israeli officials are reportedly exploring economic opportunities arising from Gaza’s reconstruction. According to Haaretz, senior Israeli finance ministry and military officials discussed potential projects, including the construction of a highway in Israel connecting to Gaza. The proposal suggests that countries seeking access to Gaza via Israel would fund such infrastructure development, including a southern route that would improve travel between Gaza and the West Bank. Additionally, Israeli officials examined economic prospects in supplying electricity to Gaza.
While Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007 and remains opposed to disarmament, the movement has indicated potential flexibility regarding transferring weapons to a future Palestinian-led authority. The U.S. plan proposes temporary governance by a committee of 15 Palestinian technocrats under the authority of a ‘Peace Council’ chaired by former President Donald Trump.
Meshaal emphasized that any peace council must adopt a ‘balanced approach’ facilitating Gaza’s reconstruction and humanitarian aid delivery, while firmly asserting Palestinian autonomy: ‘We adhere to our national principles and reject the logic of guardianship, any foreign intervention, or the return of a mandate in any form… Palestinians must be governed by Palestinians. Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza and to Palestine. We will not accept foreign domination.’