In an interview with Saudi media, a top Hamas official said that the group wanted to give up governing Gaza once the Israeli occupation ends, but is not willing to disarm.

“We do not want to be part of any administrative arrangements related to the management of Gaza’s affairs, and we will not participate in either the government or the ruling party,” the unnamed official explained. 

Additionally, he said Hamas did not want to have a role at border crossings or escorting aid deliveries in Gaza. “Hamas does not seek to be part of any arrangements related to managing the crossings or supervising the entry of aid,” he said. 

Israel has previously attacked Hamas’ police force when it was escorting aid deliveries. The lack of an escort for aid trucks has led to starving Palestinians rushing the shipments. Israeli forces have massacred Palestinians attempting to get aid off the trucks. 

The Hamas official ruled out disarmament. “The problem has never been weapons, and there’s no talk of disarmament now.” He continued, “The Palestinian people, along with Hamas, are subjected to unprecedented pressures as a result of the Israeli aggression, and we are responding positively to all initiatives and pressures aimed at halting the aggression.”

Israeli sources have ruled out reaching an agreement with Hamas to end military operations in Gaza and release the remaining hostages held by Palestinian groups. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to order the occupation of all of the Strip and free the hostages by “decisive military action.”

The Hamas official said Netanyahu’s escalation will endanger the remaining living hostages. “Any attempt to invade the Strip will expose the lives of Israeli prisoners held by Hamas to unprecedented danger,” he said.