Doha: Senior Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal has said that the group plans to keep security control in Gaza during a transitional period and can’t yet commit to disarming. These statements show how difficult it will be for the U.S. to end the conflict for good.
Nazzal told Reuters from Doha, where a number of Hamas senior figures live, that the party is willing to agree to a five-year ceasefire to allow Gaza to be rebuilt, as long as Palestinians are given “horizons and hope” for getting their own state.
“I can’t say yes or no. To be honest, it depends on what the project is. What do you mean by the disarmament initiative you’re talking about? Who will get the weapons?
— Mohammed Nazzal, a member of the Hamas Politburo
There are problems with the U.S. peace plan and disarmament.
Nazzal’s comments came just after the first part of a ceasefire agreement was struck and just before further talks are slated to start. His words show how far apart Hamas’s position is from U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which says that Hamas should give up all of its hostages, disarm, and let a technocratic committee run Gaza under the supervision of an international transitional authority.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed Trump’s plan, which was made public on September 29. He claimed it would take away Hamas’ military power and make sure that Gaza “never again poses a threat to Israel.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said again in reaction to Nazzal’s comments:
“Hamas is supposed to let go of all the hostages in stage 1.” No, it hasn’t. Hamas knows where the bodies of our hostages are. This deal says that Hamas must give up their weapons. No ifs, ands, or buts. No, they haven’t. Hamas needs to follow the 20-point plan. They don’t have much time left.
Stop the fighting, free the hostages, and set up a new government.
Nazzal said that as of Monday, Hamas had freed all of the living hostages and was having trouble getting more bodies back. So far, at least nine of the 28 bodies have been given to the authorities.
He also said that Turkey, the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and Israel would all be part of a combined task force to find the other bodies.
Nazzal said that according to the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas agreed to hand over control to a technocratic committee. However, it will keep security operations for a short time to safeguard supply convoys and stop theft.
“This is a time of change. There will be a technocratic government in charge of civil matters. Nazzal claimed, “Hamas will be on the ground.”
“There should be elections after the transitional period.”
Rebuilding Gaza and asking for a long-term cease-fire
Nazzal said that Hamas wanted a three- to five-year peace and that the purpose was not to be ready for another battle but to reconstruct Gaza.
He said, “The goal isn’t to get ready for a future war.” He also emphasized that long-term assurances must give the Palestinian people “horizons and hope” and lead to statehood.
He said again that Hamas’ offer of a long-term cease-fire had been made during talks with U.S. officials.
Nazzal said that Hamas’ major goal right now is to create a viable Palestinian state and get international guarantees for its future, even if the group’s basic charter calls for the annihilation of Israel.
What led to the conflict
According to Israeli numbers, Hamas-led militants attacked on October 7, 2023, murdering 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. This is how the current war started.
According to local officials, Israel’s military reaction has led to about 68,000 deaths in Gaza.
Hamas is still unwilling to disarm or give up control, even if the damage is done. They are afraid that if foreign powers or other Palestinian groups take over too soon, there will be instability or more violence.
The second round of talks, which will include things like weaponry, government, and rebuilding, is about to start.