Hamas Says Gaza Deal Depends on Israel Accepting and Implementing Its Terms
Hamas says it will not consider itself bound by President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace framework unless Israel publicly accepts the agreement and begins fulfilling its commitments.
Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said the group conveyed this position to US envoy Jared Kushner. He said Israel would first have to halt its attacks and withdraw from Gaza before Hamas would begin implementing its own obligations.
Hamdan also said Hamas had not agreed to surrender its weapons. Under the framework, he said, heavy weapons would be restricted and stored under the authority of a Palestinian administrative committee governing Gaza while remaining in Palestinian hands.
The proposed framework includes an Israeli withdrawal, lifting the blockade, continued Palestinian governance and security services, and the dismantling and disarming of armed groups working with Israel.
Hamdan said discussions over how heavy weapons would be collected and stored could begin only after Israel accepts the complete framework. He added that reaching agreement on the practical arrangements would take time.
He said the next step now rests with Israel and the mediators involved in the negotiations.
