DOHA, Dec 15 – Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya on Sunday said the group’s possession of weapons was a “legitimate right” that must be respected in any discussions on the next stages of the Gaza truce.
Read More: Hamas says Israel’s killing of senior commander threatens ceasefire
Speaking on Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV, Hayya said the issue of armed resistance was linked to the establishment of a Palestinian state and guaranteed under international law. He added that Hamas was willing to consider proposals as long as the group’s right to arms remained intact.
Hamas chief in the Gaza Strip says armed resistance against Israel remains a legitimate right for Palestinians under international law, as long as the regime’s occupation continues.
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Hamas’s #Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya says that the militant group had a “legitimate right” to hold weapons and that any proposal for the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire must uphold that right.https://t.co/gBPktkSzPv pic.twitter.com/E9xNYjiPOl
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) December 14, 2025
The U.S.-backed ceasefire, which came into effect on Oct. 10, has largely halted active hostilities between Israel and Hamas, but the truce remains fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
The ceasefire agreement is divided into three phases. The first phase required Palestinian factions to release 48 captives in Gaza, which has largely been completed, except for one body. The second phase envisages further Israeli troop withdrawals and calls for Hamas to lay down its weapons, while the third focuses on rebuilding Gaza after the destruction caused by Israel’s military campaign.
Hayya confirmed that the head of Hamas’s weapons production unit was killed in an Israeli strike on Saturday. He said the Palestinian people continued to endure hardship, citing significant casualties during the conflict.
Read More: Gaza truce hinges on full Israeli withdrawal, says Qatar PM
On Saturday, Israel announced it had killed senior Hamas commander Raed Saed, whom it described as a key figure in the October 2023 raid. Thousands of Hamas supporters attended his funeral in central Gaza City, chanting slogans and carrying coffins draped in green Hamas flags, marking one of the largest public displays of the group since the ceasefire began.