Hamas says Palestinians cannot lay down arms
CAIRO: As ceasefire negotiations continue in Egypt, Hamas has made it clear that Palestinians will not lay down their arms unless Israel fully withdraws its forces from Gaza and other occupied territories. The group has strongly rejected any proposal that calls for complete disarmament under U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.
According to reports, Hamas and several other Palestinian factions have expressed deep concern that Trump’s proposed plan fails to define the terms of Israeli military withdrawal. Speaking to Al Jazeera, a senior Hamas leader said that the group would not accept any agreement that demands the surrender of Palestinian weapons or undermines the right to resist occupation.
“Any demand to clear Gaza of arms or disband resistance groups contradicts our legitimate struggle against occupation,” the Hamas official said, describing reports of a disarmament clause as “baseless.”
The 20-point Trump Gaza plan, currently under discussion in Cairo, aims to end the ongoing Israeli offensive, secure the release of hostages, and establish a new governance framework for Gaza involving regional partners such as Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan. However, several clauses remain highly contentious, particularly the one calling for Gaza to be cleared of weapons under a joint Palestinian-Egyptian security mechanism.
Sources close to the talks told MegaNews that no official deadline has been set for the conclusion of negotiations. The agreement, if finalized, will reportedly take effect only after Hamas returns all 48 Israeli hostages, though some are believed to have died in captivity.
Read more: Trump Urges Israel to Stop Bombing as Hamas Accepts Key Parts of Gaza Plan
Hamas has signaled willingness to release detainees gradually once a new government structure for Gaza is established, but insists that any peace deal must guarantee an end to Israel’s military presence.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that Israel will not end its operations until Hamas is fully disarmed and the group “no longer poses a threat.” This stance has further complicated the peace efforts.
President Donald Trump, when asked whether his plan could succeed amid such deep divisions, told reporters that he would “utilize his power” if negotiations fail.
“We are going to do everything possible. We have a lot of power, and we’re going to make sure everyone adheres to the deal,” Trump said, expressing optimism that the talks could lead to a lasting ceasefire.
As discussions resume in Sharm El-Sheikh, observers say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the Trump Gaza plan can achieve a ceasefire—or become another failed attempt at resolving one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
