HAMAS has rejected a proposed disarmament plan linked to ongoing Gaza peace efforts, according to a senior Palestinian official involved in the negotiations. This decision has deepened the deadlock in talks with Israel.
The official criticized Nickolay Mladenov, a key figure in the US-led peace initiative, accusing him of favoring Israel. Recently, Mladenov introduced a framework that calls for the demilitarisation of Gaza as part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement reached in October.
Hamas has made its position clear. The group informed mediators that it will not discuss the second phase of the agreement until Israel fully implements the first phase. In response, Israel has insisted it will not proceed further without progress on Hamas’s disarmament.
A Hamas delegation recently traveled to Cairo to meet Egyptian intelligence officials. These talks aim to revive stalled negotiations, but major disagreements remain unresolved.
The first phase of the peace plan, backed by Donald Trump, temporarily halted the war. It also secured the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and led to a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
In January, US envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase. This stage aims to end the conflict permanently through Gaza’s demilitarisation and a full Israeli withdrawal. However, both sides have failed to reach an agreement.
Mladenov’s proposal outlines a process for Palestinian armed groups to give up their weapons. It links disarmament to reconstruction efforts in Gaza, which suffered massive destruction during the conflict.
The war began after the October 7 attacks, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in hundreds of hostages being taken. Since then, tens of thousands of people have died in Gaza due to Israeli military operations, according to local authorities.
Hamas leaders argue that disarmament cannot be discussed separately from a broader political solution. They insist on guarantees for Palestinian self-determination before agreeing to any such plan.
The group has also demanded that Israel fully comply with earlier commitments. These include ending military actions, allowing humanitarian aid, reopening border crossings, restoring electricity, and supporting reconstruction efforts.
Additionally, Hamas has called for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the deployment of international protection forces to help maintain security and protect civilians.
Another point of contention involves reconstruction. Hamas officials claim that Mladenov’s plan ties rebuilding efforts too closely to disarmament, without ensuring sufficient financial support. As a result, recovery in Gaza remains stalled.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Hamas will eventually be disarmed, either through negotiations or by force.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, both sides remain far apart. Without compromise, the risk of renewed conflict continues to grow, leaving the future of Gaza uncertain.
