Hamas signals readiness to disarm and hand over Gaza governance

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing, Mladenov said the proposed roadmap would require the removal of all weapons from Gaza, including

ISTANBUL: Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza have reportedly agreed to surrender their weapons and transfer civilian and security authority to a UN-recognised transitional administration, according to Gaza Peace Board representative Nikolay Mladenov.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing, Mladenov said the proposed roadmap would require the removal of all weapons from Gaza, including heavy arms, weapons stockpiles, tunnels and personal firearms. Under the plan, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza would become the sole authority responsible for controlling weapons.

The roadmap also proposes a phased Israeli withdrawal, with each stage linked to verified progress on disarmament. Mladenov said an international stabilisation force would need to deploy, while Israel and Hamas would both be required to fulfil their commitments.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that Hamas must be completely disarmed before Israel withdraws from Gaza or reconstruction begins. Hamas, meanwhile, has called for a phased and reciprocal implementation of the peace framework.

The proposed transition would place Gaza under a committee of independent Palestinian professionals tasked with restoring basic services, security and effective administration. The development comes amid continued violence and a severe humanitarian crisis in the territory.

Moreover, Many Palestinians in Gaza have cautiously welcomed reports that Hamas has agreed to disarm under a new United States backed proposal, hoping it could eventually bring an end to the devastating conflict. However, despite this small sign of progress, many remain unconvinced that Israel will withdraw its forces or that lasting peace is within reach.

US President Donald Trump recently announced that Hamas had accepted a plan to surrender its weapons as part of a broader roadmap aimed at stabilising Gaza and beginning reconstruction. Hamas later confirmed the agreement. Even so, Israeli military operations have continued, leaving many residents uncertain about whether the proposal will lead to any real change. Thousands of families remain displaced, while many others continue living in overcrowded tent camps where shortages of food, clean water, medicine and proper sanitation have created severe humanitarian conditions. Disease outbreaks and poor living conditions have become an everyday reality for much of the population.

For many Palestinians, survival remains the immediate concern. Abdel Moneim Aboul Roos, a 24 year old tuk tuk driver who lost a leg in an Israeli airstrike, said discussions about disarmament and troop withdrawals mean little while people continue to struggle for basic necessities. He said access to food and medical care matters more than political agreements that have yet to improve conditions on the ground.

The latest proposal builds on a ceasefire agreement reached last year with US support. That deal ended large scale fighting for a period, secured the release of Israeli hostages and increased humanitarian aid entering Gaza. It also included plans for a gradual Israeli military withdrawal, the formation of an international stabilisation force and the dismantling of Hamas’ weapons. However, the agreement soon stalled as both Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating its terms. Hamas retained its weapons while Israeli forces remained in the territory, causing negotiations to break down.

The newly announced roadmap provides more detailed arrangements for transferring Hamas’ weapons to a technocratic Palestinian administration. According to the proposal, Israel would not participate in the disarmament process and would instead halt military operations to allow political transition and reconstruction efforts to move forward. Despite these commitments, many Gazans remain deeply sceptical because previous promises of peace failed to deliver lasting results.

Displaced resident Ayman Ahmed said people have repeatedly been told that the war would end, only to see the violence continue. While he hopes Hamas eventually lays down its arms, he believes such a step is unlikely in the near future and expressed frustration that ordinary Palestinians continue to suffer while political leaders remain divided.