Hamas Says It Will Not Disarm Before Israeli Forces Withdraw From Gaza
A senior Hamas official has said the group will not begin disarmament until Israeli forces fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip. Ghazi Hamad told Al Jazeera that Israel would have no role in the process, which would instead be managed by a Palestinian national committee.
According to Hamas officials, a technocratic committee established to administer Gaza would become the sole body responsible for overseeing the management and storage of the group's weapons. Hamas also said any weapons handover depends on increased humanitarian aid entering Gaza and Israel fully implementing the ceasefire agreement.
The statement came after the Board of Peace announced that Hamas had agreed to a framework for the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, describing it as a breakthrough that includes disarmament followed by an Israeli military withdrawal.
Israeli officials have not commented on Hamas's latest remarks. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza and has previously said Israel intends to expand its control over parts of the territory.
