Hamas signals readiness to hand over small arms; disarmament talks at impasse

Lead

Hamas officials have indicated the group is ready to surrender thousands of automatic rifles and other small weapons to Gaza’s police and internal security forces, according to a report by The New York Times, but broader disarmament negotiations remain deadlocked and Israeli officials warn of renewed military action if progress is not made.

The report, carried by the Jerusalem Post, cites two unnamed Hamas officials based in Gaza who said the group has laid the groundwork to transfer governance to the Board of Peace and its technocratic committee. However, the proposal would not include the full disarmament of Hamas’s arsenal, as the group would retain weapons for its military wing, the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades.

Coverage comparison

The New York Times report, published in April, was the first to detail Hamas’s offer to give up small arms belonging to its police and security services. The story was subsequently covered by Israeli media, with the Jerusalem Post publishing multiple articles between April and May that focused on the expectations of Israeli and US officials.

In April, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Hamas would soon enter the disarmament process, a statement the Post described as “aspirational” given that Hamas had not yet acted. The IDF expressed growing confidence that Hamas would take “painful steps” to avoid an Israeli re-invasion of Gaza. The US had earlier set a deadline of late April to early May for Hamas to begin handing over heavy weapons, including rockets, drones, anti-tank missiles, and maps of its remaining tunnels.

A later Jerusalem Post report, citing KAN News and Western intelligence findings, said that public opinion inside Gaza is shifting, with a majority of residents now supporting Hamas’s disarmament. According to the report, many Gazans view disarmament as a “way out” of prolonged violence and are increasingly opposed to Hamas retaining power, favoring alternative civilian leadership instead.

However, by early May, negotiations between Hamas and the Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) had reached an impasse, according to Palestinian sources cited by KAN. The talks, led by BoP Director-General Nickolay Mladenov and Hamas delegation head Khalil al-Hayya, are stuck over Hamas’s refusal to disarm ahead of full implementation of phase one of the ceasefire deal, which requires Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.

Key claims

• Hamas to hand over small arms: According to the New York Times, Hamas officials said the group would give up thousands of automatic rifles and other small weapons belonging to its police and internal security services. The proposal would not affect Hamas’s military wing, which would retain its arsenal.
• IDF expects disarmament to start: The IDF said in April it expected Hamas to begin disarming soon, with military sources expressing confidence that Hamas would act to prevent an Israeli re-invasion. The military did not specify what the disarmament process would entail.
• US deadline for heavy weapons: The US expects Hamas to hand over its remaining heavy weapons, including rockets, drones, and anti-tank missiles, by early May, along with maps of its tunnels.
• Hamas conditions: Hamas has publicly stated it will only disarm after Israel fully implements phase one of the ceasefire, including a complete withdrawal from Gaza. The group has also demanded that Israel allow more rebuilding before disarmament begins.
• Israel’s position on weapons storage: The IDF has rejected the idea of storing Hamas’s heavy weapons inside Gaza, according to a Jerusalem Post report.
• Talks at impasse: Negotiations between Hamas and the Gaza Board of Peace have stalled, with Hamas refusing to disarm and proceed to phase two of the ceasefire. Palestinian sources said the talks remain stuck on Hamas’s demands.
• Gazan public opinion: A KAN report, cited by the Jerusalem Post, said the majority of Gazans support disarmament and want Hamas to give up its weapons.
• Security cabinet to meet: Israel’s security cabinet is expected to discuss renewed fighting in Gaza if Hamas does not disarm, according to a security source cited by KAN.