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

Hamas has denied a claim by the United States special envoy to the Middle East that it was preparing to disarm in exchange for an end to the war in Gaza.

On Saturday, Steve Witkoff met with families of Israeli captives held in Gaza in Tel Aviv, according to Haaretz.

Witkoff assured the families that the US would push for a single hostage deal.

In a recording of the meeting, Witkoff can be heard saying that "Hamas has said that they are prepared to be demilitarised" and that "multiple Arab governments are now demanding Hamas demilitarise".

"We are very, very close to a solution to end this war," he said.

"We don't believe that Hamas speaks for the people... we believe that they have very little political support."

Hamas hit back at Witkoff's comments, denying they had made any such proposal and said they would not lay down arms unless an independent Palestinian state was established.

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