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Negotiations aimed at disarming Hamas in Gaza have reached an impasse, with sources describing the differences between the militant group and the Board of Peace as "almost impossible to bridge." The assessment, shared with The Jerusalem Post, comes as Israel's security cabinet is reportedly set to discuss the possibility of resuming military operations in the enclave.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from The Jerusalem Post over the past week outlines a complex picture of stalled diplomacy. While all reports agree that Hamas has not accepted the Board of Peace's disarmament plan, they diverge in emphasis: one focuses on Israel's potential military response, another on Hamas's demands and conditions, and a third explores the underlying trust deficit and potential avenues for compromise.

Key Claims

  • According to several sources cited by The Jerusalem Post, gaps between Hamas and the Board of Peace on disarmament are very wide. One source said, "Hamas didn't say no, but essentially it is almost impossible to bridge the gaps."
  • A KAN News report, cited by The Jerusalem Post, says Israel's security cabinet has been summoned to discuss reviving fighting in Gaza. The discussion was expected to take place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, per the report.
  • Hamas reportedly submitted a response to the Board of Peace's disarmament plan, including stipulations on weapons and demands for a complete Israeli ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza based on an "agreed timetable." This was reported by Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat and cited by The Jerusalem Post.
  • The Board of Peace denied rumors of closing its Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, stating in a post on X/Twitter that the Reuters report was "wrong" and that the center continues its mission of aid delivery.
  • Dr. Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American scholar and former mediator, told The Jerusalem Post that Hamas leaders have indicated willingness to hand over heavy equipment and eventually smaller arms if their "paramount fears" are addressed. One Hamas leader reportedly said, "We are not only willing to hand over our weapons, but we can destroy those weapons in front of the world."
  • Bahbah described a "chicken-and-egg" dilemma: Hamas demands Israeli withdrawal and the entry of an international stabilization force before disarming, while Israel insists on demilitarization before any withdrawal.
  • An Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post that Israel is coordinating with the Board of Peace and the US administration on next steps, adding that "no one is surprised six months ago, and no one is surprised today that Hamas refuses to disarm – including the US and the mediators."
  • Sources described a recent meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and other officials as "positive," with one source stating "there is no gap between Israel and the Board of Peace regarding the ultimate goal for the situation in Gaza – namely, the disarmament of Hamas."
  • Unverified figures include the expansion of Israeli-controlled area in Gaza from 51% to approximately 59%, and estimates that between 8,000 and 10,000 people remain buried under rubble. These numbers have not been independently confirmed.

Perspectives

The standoff reflects deeply entrenched positions on both sides. Hamas, as reported, seeks ironclad guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal and international presence before it will consider disarming. The group's leadership appears willing to make symbolic gestures, such as destroying weapons publicly, but insists on a sequenced process that addresses its security concerns.

Israel, for its part, views disarmament as a precondition for any withdrawal, wary of allowing Hamas to regroup and repeat the October 7, 2023 attacks. The Israeli government is coordinating closely with the Board of Peace and the Trump administration, indicating a unified front on the ultimate goal.

The Board of Peace, tasked with implementing the Trump administration's 20-point plan, finds itself mediating between these irreconcilable starting points. Its denial of rumors about closing the coordination center suggests it is still committing to the process, but the lack of progress on the core issue of disarmament casts doubt on the plan's viability.

Bahbah's insights highlight the pervasive lack of trust that underpins the deadlock. "Hamas needs guarantees that the Israelis will not come back," he said, underscoring the psychological barrier as much as the political one.

As the security cabinet convenes, the region watches to see whether diplomacy gives way to renewed conflict, or whether a creative solution emerges to bridge the seemingly unbridgeable.