The Risks of Premature Recognition of Palestinian Statehood – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Evaluating the Implications for Regional Stability and Peace Hamas has declared that it seeks to establish a sovereign state to facilitate disarmament. Hamas has reaffirmed that it will not agree to disarm unless a sovereign Palestinian state is established. This statement was made in response to one of Israel’s principal demands in discussions concerning a ceasefire in Gaza. The Palestinian armed group indicated that it was reacting to comments attributed to US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who stated that Hamas had “expressed its willingness” to surrender its weapons. Israel regards the disarmament of Hamas as a fundamental condition for any agreement aimed at ending the conflict. However, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas to facilitate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages have recently stalled. As of March 2025, the State of ...
