Israel National News reports: “The Hamas terrorist organization issued a statement on Wednesday addressing the growing international momentum toward Palestinian statehood and mounting calls for the group to disarm and relinquish control over the Gaza Strip.

In its statement, Hamas expressed appreciation for what it described as ‘positive positions’ announced at the high-level international conference in New York. The group stated it ‘views with great interest every step that could achieve any positive progress’ in what it termed the ‘struggle’ of the Palestinian people.

Hamas affirmed its support for international efforts aimed at restoring ‘the Palestinian people’s rights to their land and homeland’ and the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state, calling this an ‘original and natural right’ of the Palestinian people. The group claimed that recognition of such a state is ‘the fruit of our people’s ongoing struggle’ and a reflection of international legal norms.

Insisting that ‘resistance and its weapons’ are a national and legal entitlement under international law, Hamas rejected any move to disarm as long as what it called the ‘occupation persists.’ The group stated that it would not relinquish arms or its claims until all ‘rights’ are restored and an independent Palestinian state is established…”