DUBAI, February 19. /TASS/. The Palestinian movement Hamas has rejected Israel’s demand for its disarmament and withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Hamas Spokesman Hazem Qassem said.

"The condition of removing Hamas from the Gaza Strip is a ridiculous psychological war, and the withdrawal or disarmament of the resistance from Gaza is unacceptable," he said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. "Any arrangements for the future of the Gaza Strip will be through national consensus," Qassem added.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated on Tuesday that Israel would not allow Hamas to maintain presence in Gaza after military operations were over. According to the top diplomat, Israel also demands a complete disarmament of Gaza.