Hamas and Allied Palestinian Factions Reject U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire, Vow to Continue ‘Resistance’ Against Israel

Image: Jihad Watch

On October 10, 2025, three major Palestinian factions — Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) — issued a joint statement declaring their intent to continue armed resistance against Israel despite a newly announced ceasefire. This declaration came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that an agreement had been reached on the first stage of a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.

Rejection of Ceasefire Terms and U.S. Plan

In their joint statement, the groups emphasized that they would persist with what they called “resistance in all its forms” until their objectives were achieved — notably, the end of Israeli occupation, Palestinian self-determination, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The factions also rejected any form of foreign oversight or intervention in the administration of the Gaza Strip, labeling it an “internal Palestinian matter.” They stressed that only “national Palestinian elements” — a clear reference to Hamas and allied factions — should decide Gaza’s governance structure. This declaration directly contradicts key aspects of President Trump’s 20-point peace initiative, of which the ceasefire is the first stage, and which reportedly includes long-term plans for Gaza’s reconstruction and political transition.

By asserting control over Gaza’s internal affairs, Hamas signaled its refusal to cede authority to any international or regional body, including Arab mediators or a U.S.-backed transitional framework. The group’s stance demonstrates a continuation of its long-held opposition to Western involvement in Palestinian political matters.

Gratitude to Regional Allies and Global Supporters

The statement also opened with messages of gratitude toward their supporters. Hamas, PIJ, and the PFLP expressed appreciation to the Palestinian people for their “steadfastness” and “heroism,” and extended thanks to regional allies who had provided assistance — notably the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran, and the Iran-backed militias in Iraq. These factions were praised for their “resistance” and for sacrificing “martyrs on the path to Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa.”

Additionally, the groups thanked Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their mediation efforts, urging them — alongside the United States — to continue exerting pressure on Israel to uphold the ceasefire terms. They also acknowledged the “unprecedented global solidarity” expressed by various movements and nations, calling it a “tremendous moral boost” for the Palestinian cause.

A Continued Cycle of Resistance and Diplomacy

This announcement underscores the deep divisions between militant Palestinian factions and international diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region. While the ceasefire was intended as the first step toward broader peace negotiations, Hamas and its allies view it as a temporary measure, not a path to reconciliation. Their categorical rejection of foreign influence and the U.S.-led peace framework suggests that the road to lasting peace remains fraught with political and ideological resistance.

As the situation in Gaza evolves, the statement by Hamas, PIJ, and PFLP signals that armed confrontation and ideological defiance will continue to define the Palestinian militant strategy, despite growing international calls for de-escalation and reconstruction.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)