DOHA: Hamas leader Khaled Meshal said on Sunday that the group will not give up its weapons or accept foreign rule in Gaza. Speaking at a conference in Doha, he said, “Criminalising the resistance, its weapons, and those who carried it out is something we should not accept.” Meshal added, “As long as there is occupation, there is resistance. Resistance is a right of peoples under occupation … something nations take pride in.” Hamas has fought Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands for years. A US-backed ceasefire in Gaza is in its second phase, which wants Gaza to be demilitarized and Israeli forces to gradually withdraw. However, Hamas calls disarmament a red line but might consider giving weapons to a future Palestinian authority. Israeli officials say Hamas still has about 20,000 fighters and 60,000 rifles in Gaza. A Palestinian technocratic committee now aims to govern Gaza under the “Board of Peace,” a US initiative launched by President Donald Trump last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The board’s role has expanded, causing worries it could compete with the United Nations. Trump also set up a Gaza Executive Board with figures like US envoys Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and ex-UK PM Tony Blair. Meshal urged the Board of Peace to be “balanced” so Gaza can rebuild and aid can flow. But he made clear, “We adhere to our national principles and reject the logic of guardianship, external intervention, or the return of a mandate in any form. Palestinians are to govern Palestinians. Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza and to Palestine. We will not accept foreign rule.” Meanwhile, about 180 Palestinians have left Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt since February 2, which is the only border not controlled by Israel. Between February 2 and 5, 135 people passed mostly patients and their companions. The crossing was closed on Friday and Saturday but reopened Sunday when 44 more crossed, including 19 patients, according to Gaza officials.