Khaled Mechaal, a senior figure within the leadership of Hamas, has declared that the movement will not relinquish its arms nor accept foreign oversight of Gaza, despite ongoing international calls for disarmament. Speaking at a conference in Doha, he stressed that criminalising what he described as “resistance” and its defenders was unacceptable, framing the movement’s arsenal as integral to Gaza’s defence and sovereignty.

“As long as occupation persists, resistance remains the right of peoples under control,” Mechaal said, emphasising that the organisation’s stance is rooted in national pride and self-determination. He rejected proposals for external management of Gaza, asserting that reconstruction and humanitarian aid must not come at the cost of local authority. “Gaza belongs to its inhabitants,” he insisted, underscoring that any governance must be Palestinian-led, free from external domination or tutelage.

The remarks come as plans to disarm the movement and gradually withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza enter their next phase, following the ceasefire in October 2025. Hamas, which has administered the territory since 2007, continues to maintain a significant armed presence, with tens of thousands of personnel and weapons reportedly remaining. Mechaal also highlighted the need for a balanced approach to reconstruction and aid, one that would restore services and infrastructure without compromising Gaza’s autonomy. As Hamas prepares for internal leadership elections, Mechaal is considered a potential candidate to resume a central political role within the movement, which has faced severe disruption during recent years of genocidal war.