Hussam al-Astal, the commander of an Israeli-backed militia fighting Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip, tells The Times of Israel that Israel should reject the implementation of the second-stage ceasefire agreement, because Hamas will never hand over its weapons.
“I don’t think the agreement will go through. Hamas will not hand over the weapons it possesses. I hope there will be a ceasefire agreement, but without Hamas. Hamas will not agree to this,” al-Astal says, adding, “Hamas knows that if it hands over its weapons, it will no longer be in power.”
Al-Astal’s militia operates with Israeli logistical and military support in the Khan Younis area. Over the past year, despite the ceasefire, the militia has continued to periodically fight Hamas.
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