Hamas rejects immediate disarmament as Gaza talks resume

Hamas has ruled out giving up its weapons at this stage despite growing international pressure and ongoing demands tied to ceasefire

Hamas has ruled out giving up its weapons at this stage despite growing international pressure and ongoing demands tied to ceasefire negotiations. The Palestinian group says any decision regarding its military arsenal must be made through broader discussions involving all Palestinian factions, while insisting that public security in Gaza can still be maintained under a civilian administration.

Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, outlined the group’s position as preparations continue for a new round of talks in Cairo. According to Badran, Hamas supports a future arrangement in which only official Palestinian police forces would visibly carry weapons in Gaza. He said armed displays that were once common throughout the territory would no longer be seen once a national administration takes charge.
However, he stressed that removing weapons from public view should not be interpreted as surrendering them. He explained that the issue of weapons would be addressed later through a national Palestinian dialogue rather than through direct pressure from outside parties.
The comments come as Hamas prepares to participate in renewed negotiations in Egypt aimed at rescuing a ceasefire agreement that has struggled to move forward. The group had briefly delayed its attendance, demanding an end to Israeli military operations and targeted killings before returning to the negotiating table.
The central disputes continue to revolve around two key issues. Hamas and other Palestinian factions insist on a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel and its allies continue to push for the disarmament of armed Palestinian groups.
The upcoming Cairo meetings are expected to bring together eight major Palestinian factions in an effort to establish a united position. Representatives from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and several other groups are expected to attend.
Badran argued that progress has been blocked because Israel has failed to fulfil many of its commitments under the first phase of the ceasefire plan. He pointed to continuing violence, restrictions on aid deliveries and severe damage to essential infrastructure across Gaza. According to Hamas, the humanitarian situation remains far below what was promised when the agreement was initially reached.
Aid deliveries continue to fall short of agreed targets, while hospitals, electricity networks and fuel supplies remain under immense strain. Palestinian officials argue that discussions about future political arrangements cannot move forward unless these immediate humanitarian concerns are addressed first.
International mediators have attempted to bridge the gap through a proposed roadmap that links the gradual disarmament of armed groups to a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Under the proposal, weapons would eventually be transferred to a Palestinian administrative body rather than handed over directly to Israel. The process would be monitored and carried out over time alongside security guarantees.
Many Palestinians remain skeptical of the proposal. Political analysts argue that negotiations are being used to gain additional concessions while conditions on the ground continue to deteriorate. Some believe Israel is using the prolonged talks to strengthen its control over more areas of Gaza without offering a clear political solution for the future.
Meanwhile, Hamas maintains that it is willing to transfer administrative and security responsibilities to a national committee tasked with governing Gaza. Yet officials involved in the process say significant obstacles remain. Concerns over security arrangements, international oversight and continued Israeli military presence have complicated efforts to establish a functioning governing authority.
As negotiations continue, the humanitarian crisis remains severe. Civilian casualties continue to rise despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, while aid organizations warn that living conditions across Gaza remain extremely difficult. With major disagreements still unresolved, hopes for a lasting settlement depend on whether negotiators can find common ground on security, governance and the future political structure of the territory.