Hamas protest in Gaza (archives)
Photo: AFP
Hamas refuses to disarm as part of truce
Group's military wing says its weapons are legal and aimed only towards 'enemy', not Fatah
Hamas'
discontent with an Egyptian-brokered deal with its rival, Fatah,
rose to new heights Tuesday, with its military wing announcing the truce would never materialize.
Cairo has expressed dissatisfaction with Hamas' resistance to the deal, and sources affiliated with the proceedings have hinted at pressure from Syria
and Iran
on the organization not to sign.
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However the group ruling Gaza says the delay is not due to outside pressure but rather to three new clauses they claim have been added to the deal.
Hamas would not describe the clauses, but the assumption is that they have to do with recent announcements by its military wing, which has refused to disarm.
"It's a fantasy that will never materialize," spokesman of the al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, said Tuesday.
"If anyone thinks the Egyptian document will succeed in disarming us then it appears the matter needs to be clarified. We say that our weapons are legal and aimed only towards the enemy. It is easier to dismantle the Palestinian Authority than it is to dismantle us, and we will take them apart before anyone thinks of touching us."
Meanwhile, the PA continues to threaten the organization, saying that if it refuses to sign the truce deal a one-sided announcement will be made declaring elections in January.
