Gaza Mediators Table Modified Proposal for Disarming Hamas
Revised Gaza disarmament plan links Hamas arms surrender to Israeli withdrawal and aid access.
International mediators have presented a revised framework for the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza, proposing a phased approach that includes the integration of approximately 10,000 members of the territory’s existing police force into a new security apparatus. The proposal, developed by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aims to address Hamas’s concerns regarding threats from Israeli-backed militias while outlining a timeline for the surrender of weapons contingent upon Israeli withdrawals and increased humanitarian aid.
The modified plan introduces a stepped disarmament process, beginning with the collection and inventory of arms stored in underground tunnels and facilities damaged during the war. Under the agreement, Israel would be required to withdraw further from Gaza as each phase is completed, thereby enabling reconstruction efforts to commence. Additionally, the proposal mandates that Israel ensure an adequate flow of humanitarian assistance into the enclave, addressing complaints from residents and aid organizations that current provisions under President Donald Trump’s peace plan are insufficient.
A key component of the new initiative involves the rehabilitation of Hamas-linked police officers, who would join a newly formed security force tasked with maintaining law and order. This measure seeks to mitigate fears among Palestinian factions that complete disarmament would leave them vulnerable to retaliation from pro-Israeli militia groups operating within the strip. A committee composed of representatives from the three mediating nations and two prominent Gaza-based Palestinians would oversee the disarmament process, while a UN-sanctioned body of non-partisan technocrats would take custody of the surrendered weapons and related infrastructure.
Despite these concessions, sources indicate that Israel is unlikely to accept the proposal, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted on unconditional and total disarmament without withdrawing forces from Gaza. Tensions also persist between the mediators and Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative of the Trump-led Board of Peace overseeing implementation. Mladenov has aligned closely with Israel’s position, demanding full disarmament before any Israeli withdrawal or the entry of the Palestinian administrative committee into Gaza.
Mediators argue that insisting on immediate and total disarmament risks sparking internal conflict among Palestinian groups in Gaza. They are urging Hamas not to capitulate to demands they view as untenable, while simultaneously pressing President Trump to leverage his influence over Israel to reciprocate the flexibility shown in the latest proposal. Discussions on the plan are scheduled to take place this week in Cairo, where Egyptian and Turkish intelligence chiefs met with senior Hamas leaders earlier in the day.