Speaking on the second day of the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, Meshaal said that calls for Hamas to hand over its weapons are part of a century-long effort to neutralize Palestinian armed resistance.

He stated that as long as the occupation of Gaza continues, discussions about disarmament would leave the Palestinian people vulnerable to Israel, which is equipped with the most advanced international weaponry.

Meshaal said that any serious discussion on the issue must first ensure an environment conducive to reconstruction and humanitarian relief and guarantees that war between Gaza and the Zionist state does not reignite.

He described this as a logical approach and said Hamas has clearly conveyed its position through mediation efforts by Qatar, Türkiye, and Egypt, as well as through indirect talks with US officials.

The Hamas leader said that instead of laying down arms, the group supports a long-term truce that could last five, seven, or even ten years, ensuring that weapons are not used. He added that mediating countries could serve as guarantors of such an agreement.

It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump last month demanded the complete demilitarization of Hamas and warned of consequences if the group failed to comply. However, Hamas maintains that it cannot relinquish its weapons as long as the Israeli occupation continues.

In the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement reached in October, Washington seeks to address Hamas’s disarmament and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues near-daily attacks on Gaza and has refused to withdraw from the so-called “Yellow Line” in eastern Gaza.

According to reports, at least 576 Palestinians have been killed and 1,543 wounded in Israeli attacks since the latest ceasefire began.

Meshaal said the core issue is not whether Hamas provides guarantees, but rather Israel’s attempt to seize Palestinian weapons and hand them over to local militias to create chaos.

He emphasized that the root cause of the conflict is occupation, and resistance against an occupying force is the right of the Palestinian people, recognized under international law and divine religions.

Meshaal described the October 7, 2023 attack as a turning point, saying it forced the Palestinian issue back onto the global agenda as an unresolved question. He welcomed the growing number of countries recognizing a Palestinian state but called it insufficient.

He urged Arab and Muslim states to move from a defensive to an offensive diplomatic strategy and work to isolate Israel internationally, likening it to the global treatment of South Africa’s apartheid regime.

Meshaal concluded by saying that Palestinians are the holders of a just cause, while Israel bears responsibility for war crimes and genocide.