Disarming Hamas in Exchange for Political Participation: A New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

23rd May 2025

3 minutes read

Disarming Hamas in Exchange for Political Participation: A New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

A new ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip is reportedly being developed by two nations, aimed at disarming Hamas and creating the conditions for its dismantling.

According to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the talks, France and Saudi Arabia are working on a plan to disarm Hamas and pave the way for its disbandment.

As of now, neither France nor Saudi Arabia has confirmed these discussions.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the goal is to transform Hamas into a purely political entity capable of playing a role in future Palestinian governance.

They noted that allowing Hamas to retain some degree of political power might make it more willing to accept disarmament.

However, Israel is expected to oppose the idea, as its government insists that Hamas should have no political authority whatsoever after the war in Gaza ends.

Tensions are also rising between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly due to France’s efforts to persuade more countries to recognize a Palestinian state.

On Monday, Netanyahu said Israel would maintain full control over Gaza, as the Israeli military announced a “massive and unprecedented” offensive against Hamas.

Next month, the United Nations will host a summit in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, to rally international support for a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The United States, Israel’s main ally, has not yet stated whether it will support the initiative. Meanwhile, Israel continues to reject the idea of a Palestinian state, especially after the October 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the current war.

Gaza Turning Against Hamas

These diplomatic moves come amid growing Palestinian dissatisfaction with Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007.

According to videos shared on social media, hundreds of Palestinians protested for a third consecutive day on Wednesday in southern Gaza, chanting: “Out, out, out… Hamas must leave!”

Some protesters appealed to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to reclaim control of Gaza from its rival Hamas.

In recent days, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his deputy Hussein al-Sheikh have called on Hamas and other factions to disarm in the interest of the broader Palestinian cause.

Netanyahu’s Conditions to End the War

Two days ago, Netanyahu outlined the conditions for ending the war that has already devastated much of Gaza and killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health authority.

His demands include:

the return of all hostages,
the complete disarmament of Hamas,
and the end of Hamas’s governance.

The conflict erupted after a Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths and 251 kidnappings.

Netanyahu believes 20 of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza are alive.

There is growing hope for an agreement amid unprecedented pressure on Israel this week from Canada, France, and the UK, who have called for an end to the renewed military offensive and the lifting of humanitarian aid restrictions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about ongoing efforts to end the conflict. “Life as it should be for the people there — free from Hamas — can’t begin until this war ends,” he told Congress.