In brief
In the latest developments regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Hamas has rejected a disarmament plan presented by Nickolay Mladenov, a US special envoy for Gaza. This rejection comes as Hamas demands adherence to the terms of an earlier ceasefire agreement, which included a halt to Israeli military actions. The ceasefire itself has faced challenges since its inception in October 2025, with ongoing negotiations stalled as both sides await further commitments from each other.
Hamas has rebuffed a disarmament plan proposed by a leading figure in President Donald Trump's peace efforts for Gaza, a senior Palestinian official has informed the BBC.
The official alleged bias from Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, claiming his framework for Gaza's demilitarization aligns too closely with Israeli interests. Mladenov's plan was part of the second phase of a ceasefire deal that Hamas and Israel agreed upon last October.
Hamas has communicated to regional mediators that it will not participate in discussions surrounding the second phase of the deal until Israel has fully upheld the commitments made in the first phase. This stance arises amid Israel's assertion that progress on Hamas's disarmament is necessary for any future negotiations.
A Hamas delegation is in Cairo to meet with Egypt's intelligence chief, but there is growing tension between the factions as they await further action from Mladenov, who has yet to provide a clear timetable for Israeli compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
The initial phase of Trump's peace plan included a cessation of hostilities, the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and partial Israeli military withdrawals from Gaza. However, since the beginning of the second phase in January 2026, progress has stagnated amid a deadlock between the two parties.
Hamas has made it clear they will not proceed with talks on the second phase until Israel halts violations, killings, and the ongoing blockade impacting Gaza. They are also demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of international forces to ensure civilian safety.
Despite Mladenov's intentions to foster peace, Hamas officials criticized the proposal for linking arms disarmament to reconstruction efforts without providing immediate relief and recovery support for devastated areas. More than 72,000 people have reportedly died in ongoing conflicts, with significant casualties since the ceasefire was established.
Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel warned previously that Hamas would be disarmed, attributing urgency to the need for peace in the region, which remains fraught with challenges as both sides navigate their complex demands and expectations.
