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Hamas Officials State Readiness to Relinquish Some Weapons in Gaza
Hamas officials have indicated they are prepared to hand over thousands of automatic rifles and other weapons from their police and internal security services to a proposed new government in Gaza. This statement comes amid ongoing ceasefire efforts under a U.S.-led peace plan. The Israel Defense Forces reported five ceasefire violations between April 17 and 21.
Apr 21, 1:48 PM·2m read1 source
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Hamas officials stated they are ready to give up thousands of automatic rifles and other weapons belonging to its police force and internal security services in Gaza, according to a report by The New York Times on April 19. The weapons would be provided to the proposed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a component of the 20-point ceasefire plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The plan was endorsed by the UN Security Council under Resolution 2803 earlier this year and would operate under the supervision of the international Board of Peace.
chief diplomat and High Representative, Nickolay Mladenov, presented Hamas with an eight-month phased plan for relinquishing all weapons during meetings in Cairo in recent weeks. Hamas's statement addressed arms from internal security and police forces but did not confirm willingness to disband its armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, or relinquish their weapons.
The New York Times report cited experts estimating that the Al Qassam Brigades hold tens of thousands of rifles along with anti-tank missiles and rockets.
A week prior to the report, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida stated that the group would not accept disarmament under any circumstances. Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Al Azhar University in Gaza, commented to The New York Times that the group may be seeking to engage with the plan and that the statement could lead to further negotiations on remaining weapons.
Mladenov described negotiations with Hamas as not easy but noted serious discussions in recent weeks and expressed optimism about reaching an arrangement beneficial to all sides, particularly people in Gaza.
