Hamas defended the gruesome public executions it carried out against Palestinians earlier this week as the terrorist group says it has no plans to lay down its arms — throwing a massive wrench in the already tense peace negotiations with Israel .

Hamas politburo member Mohammed Nazzal told Reuters that “exceptional measures” had to be taken when it carried out public killings in Gaza on Monday, which drew widespread criticism for its extreme violence. He claimed that those executed were criminals guilty of murder.

Nazzal also refused to commit to Hamas disarming itself, which Israel has demanded as part of a peace deal. Hamas’ arms could prove to be a major obstacle as both sides, with the help of the US, work to create lasting peace days after the first phase of the cease-fire was a

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