Hamas Signals Exit From Power — Arms Remain Key Issue
World
Hamas has announced its readiness to hand over control of the Gaza Strip to an independent committee of Palestinian technocrats under a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. However, the most contentious issue — the disarmament of Hamas fighters — remains unresolved.
According to the group, its administrative bodies have been instructed to prepare for the transfer of authority to a non-political technocratic committee. Trump is expected to announce the composition of a so-called “Peace Council” later this week, which would oversee the committee’s work.
The names of the technocrats have not yet been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether they will receive full approval from Israel and the United States. The Times of Israel reports that Israel’s Shin Bet security service recently reviewed a list of 12 candidates, approving eight of them at a preliminary stage.
Talks between Hamas, other Palestinian factions, and Egyptian mediators are expected to take place in Cairo this week. Governance of Gaza, Hamas disarmament, and the possible deployment of international security forces are to fall under the authority of the Peace Council.
The ceasefire that came into force on October 10 remains in its first phase. Negotiations are complicated by ongoing efforts to recover the remains of the last Israeli hostage killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Despite Hamas’ stated willingness to relinquish political control of Gaza, the issue of disarmament — of a group designated as terrorist by many countries — remains the main obstacle to a lasting settlement.
The names of the technocrats have not yet been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether they will receive full approval from Israel and the United States. The Times of Israel reports that Israel’s Shin Bet security service recently reviewed a list of 12 candidates, approving eight of them at a preliminary stage.
Talks between Hamas, other Palestinian factions, and Egyptian mediators are expected to take place in Cairo this week. Governance of Gaza, Hamas disarmament, and the possible deployment of international security forces are to fall under the authority of the Peace Council.
The ceasefire that came into force on October 10 remains in its first phase. Negotiations are complicated by ongoing efforts to recover the remains of the last Israeli hostage killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Despite Hamas’ stated willingness to relinquish political control of Gaza, the issue of disarmament — of a group designated as terrorist by many countries — remains the main obstacle to a lasting settlement.
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