Hamas has said it will not lay down its arms until an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is established.

The terrorist group Hamas has said it will continue armed resistance until an independent Palestinian state is established, stressing that national rights must be restored. Negotiations with Israel for a 60-day ceasefire have recently stalled and Hamas has insisted on improving conditions in Gaza before agreeing to a withdrawal of Israeli forces. The situation in the Gaza Strip is critical, with 2.1 million people food insecure and 900,000 children suffering from hunger.