Hamas has insisted it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established, pushing back against a key Israeli condition for ending the war in Gaza. Mediated negotiations between Hamas and Israel, which looked to secure a 60-day ceasefire, as well as the release of hostages, ended in deadlock last week.

In the past few days, Arab governments have urged Hamas to disarm and surrender control of Gaza, after a number of Western countries - including France and Canada - announced plans to recognise a state of Palestine. The UK said it would if Israel did not meet certain conditions by September.

In its statement, Hamas said it could not yield its right to ‘armed resistance’ unless a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is established