A new disarmament proposal presented to Hamas during ceasefire talks in Cairo outlines a phased plan for all armed groups in Gaza Strip to surrender their weapons over the coming months, according to Arab diplomats.
While Hamas negotiators have expressed willingness in talks with Arab mediators to hand over the terror group’s heavy weapons, they have insisted on maintaining lighter weapons, arguing that they are necessary for self-defense, the Arab diplomat added.
Under the plan, Hamas would be required to hand over its heavy weapons — including missiles and rocket launchers — within 90 days, along with detailed maps of its tunnel network. A longer-term buy-back program would encourage fighters to give up personal weapons in exchange for financial support and job opportunities.
The proposal also allows former Hamas civil servants to apply for positions in a newly formed Palestinian police force, though candidates would need approval from Israel. Individuals suspected of involvement in Hamas’s October 7 attack may be excluded from immunity or employment.
Disarmament would proceed in stages, starting in southern Gaza. As weapons are collected, control of these areas would gradually shift from the Israel Defense Forces to Palestinian police and an International Stabilization Force.
While Israel is aware of the proposal and has not objected, officials reportedly expect Hamas to reject it. Mediators anticipate a possible counterproposal from Hamas, which could prolong negotiations.
The talks in Cairo were led by Nickolay Mladenov and Aryeh Lightstone, working under a broader postwar framework supported by international mediators. Mladenov emphasized that full disarmament of all armed groups is essential for reconstruction, stability, and progress toward resolving the Palestinian issue.
The proposal follows a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025, which ended nearly two years of conflict triggered by Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel. That deal included the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, reports from Gaza suggest Hamas has recently strengthened its internal control, managing goods distribution, enforcing price regulations, and increasing its security presence across the territory.
