Hamas rejects disarmament, defends executions as 'exceptional measures' amid ceasefire tensions with Israel

Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar, said on Friday that contrary to the terms agreed to by Israel, which called for Hamas’ disarmament, the terror group cannot give up its weapons. 

Hamas political bureau member Mohammed Nazzal told Reuters that he could not give a “yes or no” answer to the question of “will Hamas give up its weapons,” saying the group needs the weapons to “maintain security control.” 

Nazzal defended Hamas’ executions of Gazans in the Reuters interview, claiming that these were “exceptional measures” because of the war effort, while claiming that those executed were criminals. 

"Yesterday Hamas executed a 5-year-old child claiming he was a 'spy.' When will the world ACT -- and pressure Hamas to comply with Trump's ceasefire plan?"

A brave Gazan civilian bears witness to Hamas atrocities.

WATCH: pic.twitter.com/EXZzzvv1nW

— Center for Peace Communications (@PeaceComCenter) October 17, 2025

However, reports and videos out of Gaza appear to contradict Nazzal’s claims, with several reports claiming that those targeted for retribution had merely expressed opposition to Hamas or shared views of which the terror group does not approve.

The daily barbarism of Hamas continues in Gaza, with executions, torture, and disappearances. A black Gazan is tortured, legs broken & forced to praise Hamas, all because he thanked President Trump & Netanyahu for the @GHFUpdates food aid during the height of the hunger crisis.… pic.twitter.com/bPWohkgC47

— Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (@afalkhatib) October 19, 2025

At the same time, Hamas has apparently renewed attempts to probe the IDF’s defenses in Gaza, despite the ceasefire agreement. On Friday, the IDF detected a number of terrorists emerging from a tunnel shaft in the Khan Younis area and approaching IDF forces operating in the area. The terrorists were eliminated in an airstrike, in accordance with the terms of the agreement. 

Also on Friday, in the Rafah area, another group of terrorists were seen exiting a shaft and firing at IDF forces there. The military said there were no casualties from that incident, but did not say what happened to the terrorists. 

“IDF forces are deployed in the area in accordance with the outline of the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to eliminate any immediate threat,” the military said in a statement after the incidents.

At the same time, Hamas has continued to delay the return of the the hostage bodies of the remaining deceased hostages still in Gaza. 

Hamas returned two more bodies late Saturday, of which, one was confirmed to be the body of slain Kibbutz Nir Oz member Ronen Engel. The second body was not yet identified at time of publication. 

On Friday, the group claimed it was looking for more hostage remains and began extensive digging projects with heavy equipment to locate additional bodies. 

Hamas is looking for the bodies of Israeli hostages in Gaza by digging for tunnels that it placed under an entire residential city where there were thousands of apartments. This is under the Qatari-built Hamad City in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Hamas gave itself the right to use… pic.twitter.com/qjCkDG05M3

— Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (@afalkhatib) October 17, 2025

Israel, however, claims that Hamas knows where some of the bodies are, but is delaying their return in order to drag out the ceasefire, while the group attempts to regain control over territories vacated by the IDF. 

The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement to Reuters regarding Hamas’ claims of the hostage remains and the group’s obligation to disarm.  

"Hamas is supposed to release all hostages in stage 1. It has not. Hamas knows where the bodies of our hostages are. Hamas are to be disarmed under this agreement. No ifs, no buts. They have not. Hamas need to adhere to the 20-point plan. They are running out of time,” the statement read.