Hamas Given 90 Days to Surrender Heavy Weapons in New Gaza Disarmament Proposal

Gaza ceasefire mediators presented Hamas with a formal disarmament framework in Cairo earlier this month, requiring all armed groups in the Strip — including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other factions — to gradually surrender their weapons over the coming months. Under the proposal, Hamas must hand over heavy weaponry, including rockets, missile launchers, and maps of its underground tunnel network, within 90 days as the first phase of full demilitarization.

The framework was delivered at a meeting led by Nickolay Mladenov, President Trump’s Board of Peace representative, who declared it is “now on the table” and called for “full decommissioning by Hamas and every armed group, with no exceptions and no carve-outs.” A gun-buyback program would offer financial incentives and employment to fighters who voluntarily surrender personal weapons, though that process is expected to take longer than the 90-day window for heavy arms. Surrendered weapons would be transferred to a new Palestinian police force, with all recruits subject to Israeli security vetting and those linked to the October 7, 2023, attack potentially excluded from immunity.

The phased approach departs from Israel’s previous position demanding immediate, complete disarmament — a stance the US, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt concluded was unworkable in practice. Hamas negotiators have indicated a willingness to relinquish heavy weapons but refused to discuss handing over small arms, which they say are needed for self-defense. Two Arab diplomats familiar with the talks said Israel was aware of the proposal and chose not to push back on its presentation, believing Hamas would ultimately reject it anyway.

(NYP/VFI News)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9