US, Hamas in Public Clash Over Disarmament Terms
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's claim that Hamas will disarm is rejected by the group, which demands statehood first. The dispute stalls talks amid a hostage crisis and sharp international reactions, including Iran's total rejection of a two-state solution.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A high-stakes diplomatic mission by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has imploded into a war of words, igniting a fierce public dispute with Hamas after the envoy claimed the group was prepared to disarm. Hamas categorically rejected the assertion as a "fabrication," declaring its weapons a "red line" that would only be relinquished following the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, a standoff that has stalled negotiations amid a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The controversy erupted during Witkoff's visit to the Gaza Strip, where he toured relief centers as part of what was described as a comprehensive American plan to end the war and recover detainees. According to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the U.S. envoy ignited a political maelstrom by suggesting Hamas was open to demilitarization.
Haaretz reported that in a recording of a meeting, Witkoff could be heard saying, "Hamas has said that they are prepared to be demilitarized" and that "Multiple Arab governments” are now demanding it. "We are very, very close to a solution to end this war," the envoy was reportedly heard saying.
Hamas immediately deemed the claims a baseless "fabrication."
The diplomatic friction extended to the humanitarian crisis. Following a meeting with the families of hostages in Tel Aviv, Witkoff stated, "There is hardship and shortage, but no starvation," according to the Jerusalem Post.
He added, "Once we refute this Hamas claim, we can continue negotiations to end the war and bring back all the hostages.” Hamas fired back, describing the comments as an "attempt to polish Israel's image" and the entire visit as a "charade" designed to create a false impression of Israeli humanitarian efforts.
Hamas: No Surrendering Weapons Without a State
In a direct and swift response, Hamas issued a statement stressing that its weapons are a "red line" and would only be relinquished within a framework leading to a sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. The movement’s statement accused Witkoff of a "deliberate distortion of positions" and stated that his remarks "damage the credibility of the American role" and doom any potential future mediation due to his "complete bias towards the Israeli narrative."
Speaking on Sky News Arabia, Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, director of the Palestinian media foundation "FEMED," sharply criticized the U.S. envoy. Al-Madhoun said Witkoff "erred when he blamed Hamas for the failure of the negotiations," accusing him of engaging in "cheap propaganda for the Israeli establishment." He asserted that Witkoff "identifies with the Israeli vision" and cannot be a neutral mediator, stressing that "the topic of weapons has not been raised in any official or unofficial negotiations."
Al-Madhoun added that Witkoff "spoke on behalf of Hamas without authorization or contact with the movement," calling his statements "confused and inaccurate" and claiming he "mishandled the negotiations," which pushed Hamas to suspend talks until the famine in Gaza is addressed. He stated that Israel "failed to achieve a military resolution" and is now using the "sword of starvation," which obstructs negotiations. Al-Madhoun affirmed Hamas will not return to the table while the siege continues and will not "offer free concessions."
Hostage Crisis Deepens
The diplomatic fallout comes as the hostage crisis intensifies. According to Haaretz, Hamas released a new video on Saturday showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David in captivity. After an earlier video was released Friday, David's family authorized parts of it for publication.
"We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother, Evyatar David, deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas's tunnels in Gaza – a living skeleton, buried alive," the family said in a statement published by Haaretz. "Our son has only a few days left to live in his current condition."
The family’s statement described the "intentional starvation, torture, and abuse of Evyatar for propaganda purposes" as a violation of humanitarian law and basic decency. "The humanitarian aid that the world, together with Israel, provides to the residents of Gaza must also reach Evyatar," their plea continued. "We call on all countries and international organizations: do not remain silent – every human life counts. Act quickly and decisively to save Evyatar."
The footage prompted a sharp reaction from France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, who posted on X: “Despicable, unbearable images of Israeli hostages held for 666 days in Gaza by Hamas. Their ordeal must end. They must be released, without condition. Hamas must be disarmed and excluded from the governance of Gaza. Humanitarian aid must enter there massively.”
Images ignobles, insupportables, des otages israéliens détenus depuis 666 jours à Gaza par le Hamas. Leur calvaire doit cesser. Ils doivent être libérés, sans condition. Le Hamas doit être désarmé et exclu de la gouvernance de Gaza. L’aide humanitaire doit y entrer massivement.
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) August 2, 2025
Broader Diplomatic and Ideological Divides
Behind the scenes, the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump is reportedly reassessing its strategy. The website Axios revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated he and Trump "don't think the incremental approach is the right one" and hinted at exploring a "more comprehensive approach" to end the war and free the hostages.
This comes as Washington faces accusations of a lack of neutrality and growing diplomatic isolation on the issue, particularly after a conference in New York called by France and Saudi Arabia revealed a growing international consensus on the necessity of recognizing a Palestinian state.
In a starkly opposing view, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) dismissed the two-state solution entirely. In a statement carried by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, the Guards refuted the "devilish conspiracy" of a two-state solution, stating the resistance front has "hidden potential for victory against the fake Israeli regime."
The statement, issued to commemorate the first anniversary of the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, condemned the killing and asserted that the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation has become a "school of thought" that will determine the fate of the battle. The IRGC echoed Haniyeh's "heroic catchphrase" that "we will never ever recognize Israel" and warned that the "masterminds of genocide in Gaza" aim to plunder strategic areas in the Muslim world.
