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.

The militant organization Hamas on Saturday said it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. "The resistance and its weapons are a national and legal right as long as the [Israeli] occupation continues,

Despite growing diplomatic pressure, Hamas remains adamant, signalling it views disarmament as a final step, not a starting point for negotiations.