Hamas Rejects Disarmament Plan in Gaza Peace Talks
Hamas has rejected a disarmament plan. The proposal came from a top figure in President Trump’s Gaza peace efforts. A senior Palestinian official confirmed the news to the BBC.
A Setback for Peace Efforts
The official accused Nickolay Mladenov of bias. Mladenov is the high representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace. The official said Mladenov favours Israel.
Stalled Talks on Phase Two
Last month, Mladenov outlined a framework for Gaza’s demilitarisation. This was part of the second phase of a ceasefire deal. Hamas and Israel agreed to that deal in October.However, Hamas now says it will not engage in phase two talks. The group demands that Israel fully implement phase one first. Israel has said it will not move forward without progress on disarmament.A Hamas delegation was in Cairo. They were due to meet Egypt’s intelligence chief on Tuesday. They left before that meeting.
Phase One Achieved
The first phase of Trump’s peace plan halted the war. It also returned all Israeli hostages held by Hamas. In exchange, Israel released Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces also withdrew partially from Gaza.In mid-January, US envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of phase two. But the deadlock has continued since then. Phase two aims for a permanent end to the war. It requires Gaza’s demilitarisation and a full Israeli withdrawal.Mladenov’s plan linked disarmament to the start of reconstruction. Israel’s military campaign devastated Gaza.
