Lead

Hamas has announced it is ready to disarm as part of a United States-brokered plan to end the war in Gaza, but skepticism and conflicting statements from various parties have cast doubt on whether the plan will be carried out. The plan, proposed by US President Donald Trump, includes the withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to take control of security alongside a new Palestinian police force, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera, the Jerusalem Post, and TASS — English present a range of perspectives on the disarmament plan, with the Jerusalem Post highlighting skepticism about its implementation, while TASS — English reports both Palestinian assurances and US optimism. Al Jazeera's coverage focuses on the details of the proposal and the conflicting positions of Israel and Hamas.

The Jerusalem Post reported that a Palestinian source in Gaza affiliated with Israeli-backed militias stated that the disarmament plan announced by the Board of Peace and approved by Hamas "will not be implemented." The source said that "if there are no weapons, there is no Hamas," and that Hamas needs its weapons to protect itself from potential revenge by those who have suffered under its rule. The source also said that "people who were tortured, abused, or whose relatives were killed by Hamas will never forgive and never forget," and that Hamas is aware of this threat.

TASS — English, citing Hamas' representative in Iran, Khaled Qaddoumi, reported that the Palestinian side has fulfilled all its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, and that the problem lies with the current Israeli leadership's unwillingness to implement the agreements. Qaddoumi also said that 1,200 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the signing of the ceasefire agreement. In another TASS — English report, US officials believe that Hamas-controlled police units will begin handing over weapons to the interim authorities in Gaza within the next two weeks, but the timeline for disarming Hamas' main units, including heavy weapons, remains unclear.

Key Claims

  • Hamas announces readiness to disarm: Al Jazeera reported that Hamas announced it was ready to disarm, part of the US-brokered plan.
  • Plan includes Israeli withdrawal and international force: Al Jazeera reported that the plan includes the withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip, with an International Stabilization Force (ISF) taking control of security alongside a new Palestinian police force.
  • Skepticism over implementation: The Jerusalem Post reported that a Palestinian source affiliated with Israeli-backed militias said the disarmament plan "will not be implemented," citing Hamas's need to keep its weapons for self-protection.
  • Hamas agrees to store weapons with NCAG: The Jerusalem Post reported that Hamas agreed to store weapons with the Palestinian technocratic committee, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which would collect and store heavy weapons, including manufacturing sites, tunnels, and warehouses.
  • Hamas insists on Palestinian control of heavy weapons: TASS — English reported that Qaddoumi stated that the collection and storage of heavy weapons will be handled exclusively by the Palestinian side, reflecting a pan-Palestinian consensus. He also said Hamas refused to discuss disarmament until political conditions for a settlement were met.
  • Palestinian side fulfilled obligations: TASS — English reported that Qaddoumi said the Palestinian side has fulfilled all obligations under the ceasefire agreement, and that 1,200 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the signing of the agreement.
  • US officials optimistic about initial handover: TASS — English reported that US officials believe Hamas-controlled police units will hand over weapons within the next two weeks, but the timeline for disarming main units remains unclear.

Perspectives

Hamas

Hamas' representative in Iran, Khaled Qaddoumi, said the Palestinian side has fulfilled all obligations under the ceasefire agreement and that the problem lies with the Israeli leadership's unwillingness to implement agreements. He said the issue of collecting and storing heavy weapons is a Palestinian matter and reflects a pan-Palestinian consensus. Hamas participated in negotiations but refused to discuss disarmament until political conditions for a settlement were met.

Israeli-backed militia source

A Palestinian source in Gaza affiliated with Israeli-backed militias told the Jerusalem Post that the disarmament plan will not be implemented. The source said Hamas views disarmament as suicidal and needs its weapons to protect itself from potential revenge by those who have suffered under its rule.

US officials

According to TASS — English, US officials are optimistic about the prospects for the imminent implementation of the second phase of the peace agreement, with police units controlled by Hamas expected to begin handing over weapons within the next two weeks. However, the timeline for disarming main units, including heavy weapons, remains unclear.

Israel

Al Jazeera reported that Israel has doubts about Hamas laying down its weapons and says it has no plans to leave Gaza unless Hamas completely disarms, while Hamas wants Israeli troops to pull out before it lays down its weapons.