Hamas Refuses to Disarm While Maintaining Security Control in Gaza Despite Ceasefire Agreement

Hamas has agreed to relinquish governance to a technocratic committee while maintaining security control during the interim period.

A senior Hamas official revealed to Reuters that the group intends to retain security oversight in Gaza throughout a transitional phase, while expressing inability to commit to disarmament - positions that highlight significant challenges facing US efforts to end the conflict.

Mohammed Nazzal, a Hamas politburo member, stated the organization is prepared for a ceasefire lasting up to five years to rebuild devastated Gaza. He indicated that guarantees for post-ceasefire arrangements would depend on Palestinians being provided "horizons and hope" for statehood.

Speaking from Doha, where Hamas political leaders have long been based, Nazzal defended the group's actions in Gaza, including recent public executions. He characterized these as "exceptional measures" necessary during wartime, claiming those executed were criminals guilty of homicide.

While Hamas has previously expressed similar positions, Nazzal's recent statements underscore major obstacles to establishing a permanent end to the Gaza conflict, despite the recent agreement on the first phase of ceasefire.

These declarations reveal significant disparities between Hamas' stance and US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, ahead of negotiations expected to address Hamas' weaponry and Gaza's governance structure.

When asked about Nazzal's comments, the Israeli prime minister's office affirmed Israel's commitment to the ceasefire agreement, stating they continue to uphold their obligations under the plan.

"Hamas is supposed to release all hostages in stage 1. It has not. Hamas knows where the bodies of our hostages are. Hamas are to be disarmed under this agreement. No ifs, no buts. They have not. Hamas need to adhere to the 20-point plan. They are running out of time," the statement to Reuters declared.

Trump's September 29 plan required Hamas to immediately return all hostages before committing to disarmament and transferring Gaza governance to a technocratic committee overseen by an international transitional body.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the plan, saying it would eliminate Hamas' military capabilities, end its political control, and ensure Gaza would never again threaten Israel.

According to Israeli tallies, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and abducted another 251 during the October 7 attacks on Israel that triggered the war. Israel's military response resulted in nearly 68,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local authorities.

Severely weakened by Israel's military campaign, the Palestinian Islamist group faces immense pressure to disarm and surrender control of Gaza or risk renewed conflict.

When questioned about disarmament, Nazzal responded on Wednesday: "I can't answer with a yes or no. Frankly, it depends on the nature of the project. The disarmament project you're talking about, what does it mean? To whom will the weapons be handed over?"

He added that weapons-related matters slated for the next negotiation phase concern not only Hamas but other armed Palestinian groups, requiring broader Palestinian consensus.

Asked for reaction to Nazzal's statements, the White House directed Reuters to Trump's Thursday remarks: "We have a commitment from them and I assume they're going to honour their commitment," Trump said, noting Hamas had returned more bodies without elaborating on disarmament or its interim presence in Gaza.

Nazzal also stated the group has no interest in retaining the remaining bodies of hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Hamas has transferred at least nine of 28 bodies. Nazzal claimed technical difficulties in recovering more, adding that international parties such as Turkey or the US would assist in search efforts if necessary.

A senior Turkish official recently confirmed Turkey's participation in a joint task force with Israel, the US, Qatar, and Egypt to locate the bodies.

On October 4, Hamas agreed to release hostages and transfer governance to a technocratic committee but maintained that other issues needed addressing within a broader Palestinian framework. All living hostages were released on Monday.

Nazzal indicated that phase two negotiations would commence soon.

On Tuesday, Trump stated he had informed Hamas it must disarm or face forced disarmament. Trump also suggested Hamas received temporary authorization for internal security operations in Gaza and endorsed Hamas' actions against gang members.

Referencing Trump's remarks, Nazzal indicated an understanding regarding Hamas' continued ground presence, suggesting this was necessary to protect aid deliveries from thieves and armed gangs.

"This is a transitional phase. Civilly, there will be a technocratic administration as I said. On the ground, Hamas will be present," he stated, adding that elections should follow the transitional phase.

Nazzal mentioned that mediators had not discussed with Hamas the possibility of an international stabilization force for Gaza, which was included in Trump's ceasefire proposal.

While Hamas' founding charter called for Israel's destruction, the group's leaders have occasionally offered long-term truces with Israel in exchange for a viable Palestinian state on territories occupied by Israel in 1967.

Israel considers this position deceptive.

Nazzal said Hamas had proposed a long-term truce during meetings with US officials and sought a three-to-five-year ceasefire to rebuild Gaza. "The goal isn't to prepare for a future war."

For guarantees beyond this period, Nazzal emphasized that states must "provide horizons and hope for the Palestinian people."

"The Palestinian people want an independent Palestinian state," he concluded.