Hamas denies US claims it offered to disarm in exchange for ceasefire

Hamas has denied a claim made by a United States special envoy that the group was prepared to disarm in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza. The envoy, Steve Witkoff, reportedly told families of Israeli captives that Hamas was prepared to be demilitarized and that a solution to end the war was very close. In response, Hamas refuted the comments and stated it would not lay down its arms. The group's condition for disarmament is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.