Hamas Chief Stresses Disarmament Tied to Occupation’s End

Khalil al-Hayya, acting co-chair of Hamas’ political bureau, has stated that the group’s disarmament is contingent upon the cessation of what they refer to as “occupation.” This assertion contradicts the terms of the US-backed peace framework proposed during the Trump administration, which stipulates that Hamas would disarm only after all hostages are returned and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdraw from Gaza.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, al-Hayya emphasized that disarmament is closely linked to the presence of what he termed “occupation and aggression.” He asserted that Hamas would only relinquish its weapons if the occupation ends, although the precise definition of “occupation” remains ambiguous. Hamas officials have often characterized the existence of Israel itself as a form of occupation.

During the same interview, al-Hayya revealed that Hamas has reached an agreement with rival factions, including Fatah, to establish a technocratic governing committee to oversee Gaza. He did not provide details regarding the formation of this committee or the participation of Hamas officials. Both Israel and the United States have expressed firm opposition to any role for Hamas in the governance of Gaza.

The statements from al-Hayya diverge from a recent declaration by Fatah, the largest party within the Palestinian Authority, which rejected the idea of a governing committee and maintained that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) remains the only legitimate governing body for the West Bank and Gaza.

Concerns Over Peacekeeping Forces

In a related context, King Abdullah of Jordan offered insights into the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF), a neutral peacekeeping entity mentioned in the Trump plan. In an interview with the BBC, he questioned the feasibility of enforcing peace through this force. While countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan are expected to contribute troops, Israel has insisted on having veto power over any nation’s involvement. This is particularly pertinent amid concerns regarding the potential deployment of Turkish soldiers, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described as a “red line.”

King Abdullah highlighted the international community’s likely reluctance to support peace enforcement in Gaza. He stated, “What is the mandate of security forces inside of Gaza? We hope that it is peacekeeping, because if it’s peace-enforcing, nobody will want to touch that.” He explained that peacekeeping would involve supporting the local police force, a role that both Jordan and Egypt are prepared to train Palestinians for, although this process would take time.

He cautioned against the complications of foreign troops patrolling Gaza with weapons, remarking, “If we’re running around Gaza on patrol with weapons, that’s not a situation that any country would like to get involved in.”

The ongoing dialogue surrounding the governance of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas continues to unfold, with significant implications for the region’s stability and the future of peace negotiations.