Hamas Asserts Disarmament Will Only Occur if Israeli Forces Withdraw from Gaza
Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad has asserted that the group will not take any steps regarding disarmament before Israeli forces fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip. This statement was made on Friday in response to the ongoing dynamics of the current negotiations.
Hamad, a member of the Hamas negotiating delegation, explained that the issue of disarmament is closely linked to two primary conditions: the total withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza territory and the commencement of a large-scale reconstruction process in the region. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he emphasised that Israel will have no role in the disarmament process.
According to Hamad, the disarmament mechanism will subsequently be managed independently by a Palestinian national body. He reaffirmed Hamas’s position that there will be no steps towards de-escalating weaponry unless Israel first fulfils all obligations outlined in the reached agreement.
Hamad described the ongoing negotiations as a “difficult and heavy” process. Nevertheless, he stated that Hamas remains committed to protecting the rights of the Palestinian people and strives to achieve the best possible outcome from the negotiating table. He also expressed appreciation to Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their mediation roles in facilitating this agreement.
These statements from Hamas follow the announcement by US President Donald Trump regarding the achievement of an agreement for the comprehensive disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Under this plan, the withdrawal of Israeli forces is scheduled to take place gradually.
President Trump described the agreement as a “historic breakthrough,” mediated through a 20-point plan for Gaza under the supervision of the Peace Council. The implementation of this agreement is planned to involve an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) working alongside a new Palestinian police force to maintain security in the enclave.
However, the situation on the ground remains tense. Although a ceasefire officially came into effect on 10 October 2025, reports indicate that attacks are still occurring. Since that date, daily attacks have reportedly killed 1,214 Palestinians and injured 3,977 others, the majority of whom are women and children.
The war in Gaza has caused a massive humanitarian impact. Data shows that more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and 174,000 others injured. Furthermore, approximately 90 per cent of the infrastructure in the Gaza Strip is reported to have been destroyed due to the escalation of the conflict.