Deadlock Deepens As Hamas Rejects Gaza Demilitarisation Plan

Hamas has rejected a proposed plan to disarm armed groups in Gaza, dealing a fresh blow to efforts aimed at advancing the next phase of a fragile ceasefire with Israel.

A senior Palestinian official said the group would not enter discussions on the second phase of the agreement until Israel fully implements the terms of the initial stage.

The proposal, put forward by Nickolay Mladenov as part of a broader US-backed peace framework, links Gaza’s reconstruction to the disarmament of militant factions.

However, Hamas argues that such conditions are unacceptable without firm guarantees, including a complete halt to Israeli military actions, full withdrawal of troops, and unrestricted humanitarian access.

The first phase of the deal, which began in October, led to a temporary halt in fighting, partial Israeli withdrawal, and exchanges of hostages and prisoners. But negotiations have since stalled, with both sides divided over the path forward.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that progress depends on Hamas laying down its arms, warning the group could be forced to disarm “the easy way or the hard way.”

With violence still flaring and humanitarian conditions worsening, analysts say the deadlock raises doubts about achieving a lasting peace in Gaza anytime soon.