The Times of Israel newspaper has reported that ceasefire mediators in Gaza, in recent days, have presented a proposal to Hamas under which all armed groups in the Gaza Strip would gradually hand over their weapons over the coming months.
Hamas has been asked to surrender its heavy weaponry, such as missiles and rocket launchers, within 90 days. The group is also required to provide maps of its tunnel network in Gaza. Members of armed groups have been offered jobs and financial assistance in exchange for handing over their personal weapons.
According to the Times of Israel report, Hamas negotiators have expressed willingness to hand over heavy weapons. However, they have emphasized that they intend to retain light weapons for “self-defense.”
Under the proposal, Hamas’s weapons would be handed over to a Palestinian police force that has not yet been established. A national committee to administer Gaza—intended to replace Hamas in governing the territory—recently began recruiting personnel to form this police force.
