Gaza negotiations enter a decisive phase as Hamas moves closer to announcing its disarmament
Diplomatic sources indicate that Hamas is nearing an announcement regarding arrangements related to its disarmament and the future governance of the Gaza Strip.
According to Israeli media outlet Israel Hayom, the information comes from American and Israeli sources at a time when a Hamas delegation is in Cairo, where negotiations are currently taking place.
According to these sources, discussions revolve around “a highly detailed and precise framework for the complete and comprehensive disarmament of Hamas and the dismantling of tunnels.”
However, despite the positive atmosphere described by the newspaper, concerns remain that last-minute disagreements could emerge, based on previous experiences during earlier rounds of negotiations.
Optimism
In the same context, Israel’s Channel 13 presented a more optimistic assessment of the talks.
Quoting two regional sources, the channel reported that “discussions regarding Hamas’s announcement of its disarmament and the transfer of control over the Gaza Strip to an international stabilization force are making progress.”
According to the same sources, “the parties are discussing the possibility of holding a signing ceremony for the agreements in Egypt in the coming days.” They added that this progress came after pressure from mediators.
The negotiations are being held in Cairo, with the participation of a high-level Hamas delegation, under the sponsorship of Egyptian intelligence services and with mediation by Qatar and Turkey.
Minor disagreements and the transfer of weapons to a third party
According to Channel 13, disagreements remain over several issues described as “minor,” while the administration of US President Donald Trump is pushing for the announcement of understandings even if a comprehensive agreement has not yet been reached.
In this context, one source stated that Hamas could agree to hand over its weapons to a third party, provided that the Palestinian Authority is not involved.
Meanwhile, Yedioth Ahronoth, citing sources close to Hamas, reported progress in the Egyptian-sponsored negotiations involving international envoys.
The newspaper explained that the main issues under discussion include the future of Hamas’s weapons, the administration of Gaza and the continuity of civil institutions.
According to sources close to the movement, a “specific formula” has been developed to address the issue of Hamas’s arsenal, including the possibility of transferring and storing weapons under an agreed mechanism. The sources noted that this formula has received support from Hamas as well as from the international parties participating in the negotiations.
The same sources added that understandings had also been reached regarding the future of government employees and civil institutions, while stressing that the Israeli government’s position remains the main obstacle, as Tel Aviv may reject any arrangement that falls short of the complete disarmament of Hamas.
“Hamas has surrendered” and comprehensive disarmament
On the other hand, officials familiar with the proposal believe that the current process is moving in a positive direction and say that Hamas has agreed to the broad principles discussed with mediators over recent months.
According to these officials, the framework includes the dismantling of heavy and light weapons and tunnels, as well as the establishment of strict monitoring mechanisms to oversee implementation.
One source told the Israeli channel that “the current proposal could serve as a foundation for future progress, particularly if political change occurs in Israel,” referring to the elections scheduled for next October.
In the same vein, other officials familiar with the proposal expressed even greater optimism, asserting that “the trend is positive” and that Hamas “has surrendered and accepted complete and comprehensive disarmament.”
They added that, if signed, the agreement would be “strict and highly detailed, with no loopholes or concessions,” explaining that the plan includes the complete dismantling of heavy and light weapons and tunnels, along with the establishment of rigorous monitoring mechanisms.
A new formula
Yedioth Ahronoth also quoted Palestinian sources as saying that Hamas had shown “flexibility” regarding the weapons issue within the framework of a “road map” promoted by international envoy Nikolay Mladenov.
The proposal focuses not only on transferring weapons to an external party but also on restricting their use, particularly heavy weapons, military production infrastructure and certain military capabilities.
According to Palestinian officials, one of the options currently under discussion involves storing heavy weapons in designated facilities supervised by a Palestinian technocratic committee, while maintaining Palestinian control over the governing mechanisms of the Gaza Strip, which would effectively preserve Hamas’s influence.
The negotiations also addressed the possibility of maintaining Gaza’s civil administration through an independent professional committee operating in accordance with Palestinian law and responsible for managing public services.
The disagreements are not limited to the weapons issue. According to the newspaper, discussions also cover the future Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip, the scope of any Israeli withdrawal and the arrangements for the next phase of the agreement.
So far, none of the countries involved in these negotiations has officially confirmed these reports, and Hamas itself has not made any such announcement.
