Hamas Refuses to Disarm, Demands Israel Act First

A senior Palestinian official says Hamas will reject any plan to give up its weapons in Gaza. The official told the BBC that the armed group will not discuss disarmament until Israel completely fulfills its own commitments. He did not specify what those commitments are. The statement directly challenges a key part of proposed post-war plans for Gaza. Many international mediators believe long-term peace requires Palestinian militant groups to disarm. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and others. It has ruled Gaza since 2007.