The US could allow Hamas to temporarily remain armed with firearms
The US administration plans to request that Hamas hand over weapons capable of attacking Israel while temporarily allowing the group to retain some firearms.
According to sources cited by the newspaper, the US administration intends to require Hamas to surrender weapons that can be used to strike Israel, while concurrently allowing the group to keep a portion of its firearms temporarily. This initiative comes as part of broader negotiations involving key figures such as Jared Kushner, who is President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, along with former UN Middle East envoy Nikolai Mladenov. They are expected to present a disarmament proposal to Hamas in the coming weeks.
Both Israel and Hamas have yet to comment on the newspaper's report. Israel has formally demanded complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip as a precondition for withdrawing its troops and for the deployment of international stabilization forces in the Palestinian territory. The situation remains tense as Israel seeks to ensure its security while navigating the complex regional dynamics.
This development occurs in the context of the horrific attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel, the vast majority of whom were civilians. The aftermath of this attack has led to heightened calls for addressing the ongoing conflict and finding a path forward for peace, yet the proposals around disarmament and negotiations indicate a challenging road ahead amid mounting tensions between the involved parties.