Hamas rules out disarmament under Gaza plan

Hamas on Saturday dismissed ongoing speculation regarding its possible disarmament, declaring that surrendering weapons is “out of the question and not negotiable.”

The Palestinian resistance group said the question of disarmament is part of US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza, but insisted that the issue “holds no relevance” to the ongoing ceasefire.

“The proposed weapons handover is out of the question and not negotiable,” a Hamas official stated, reaffirming the group’s stance against laying down arms.

According to President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the first phase focuses on halting attacks from both sides within 24 hours, while the second phase would address the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Trump also announced that hostages held in Gaza would be released “on Monday or Tuesday,” under the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

The plan reportedly offers amnesty to Hamas members who decommission their weapons and allows them to leave Gaza voluntarily.

The statement from Hamas comes as the ceasefire continues to hold ahead of Monday’s 72-hour deadline for the release of Israeli hostages captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks.