Hamas has reaffirmed its rejection of a US proposal that includes the disarmament of the resistance in the Gaza Strip, stating it contradicts previous ceasefire agreements with Israel, a senior leader in the movement told Al Manassa.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the movement’s delegation, led by Khalil Al-Hayya, confirmed its outright rejection of disarmament during a second meeting held in Cairo Monday. The meeting included the movement’s delegation and Nikolay Mladenov, the High Representative for Gaza, as well as Aryeh Lightstone, an advisor to the Global “Board of Peace.” Hamas considered the proposal a violation of the primary agreement and a reversal of the understandings signed last October.
The movement has informed mediators Egypt and Qatar of its refusal to continue negotiating with Mladenov, on the basis that he “has no negotiating status for Hamas.” The movement requested that negotiations be resumed through traditional mediators.
According to the source, Hamas emphasized during the meeting its commitment to implementing the first phase of the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement in full. This includes a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the deployment of an international force, the assumption of duties by a national committee to manage the Strip, and the start of reconstruction. Hamas maintains that the issue of weapons should be discussed in a parallel track linked to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The source explained that the Hamas delegation was surprised by a vision presented by Mladenov that prioritized disarmament over other items, including the Israeli withdrawal and post-withdrawal arrangements.
Another Hamas leader told Al Manassa that Mladenov informed the delegation that the issue of establishing a Palestinian state “is not within the jurisdiction of the Board of Peace,” without providing further clarification. He added that Mladenov’s role is limited to ensuring Hamas’ approval of the presented paper, which includes immediate disarmament.
The first source noted that Mladenov asked to take part in a meeting between the movement’s delegation and leaders of other Palestinian factions in Cairo on Tuesday, but his request was denied.
The Trump plan, which was agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, stipulates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the commencement of reconstruction in exchange for the movement’s disarmament.
The plan sets an eight-month timeline beginning with NCAG assuming responsibility for security in the territory and ending with the full withdrawal of Israeli forces once there is “final verification that Gaza is free of weapons.”
