The Lead
The Hamas terror organization issued an official statement Friday afternoon, asserting that an Israeli commitment to "stop the killing and end the aggression" is the essential basis for implementing the recently announced disarmament framework. The statement, reported by חדשות 12 and other Israeli outlets, emphasizes that the second phase of the deal—which reportedly involves the surrender of heavy weaponry—is strictly conditional on Israel fulfilling all clauses of the first phase.
The statement from Hamas serves as a sharp counterpoint to the optimistic framing of a "breakthrough" announced earlier today by U.S. President Donald Trump. While the Trump administration has presented the Gaza Peace Council framework as a finalized agreement for the total demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Hamas's official rhetoric suggests a far more conditional and tactical approach to the process.
Extensive List of Demands
In its official communique, the terror group outlined a series of high-level demands that must be met before it proceeds with any disarmament milestones. Beyond the cessation of military operations, Hamas is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the entry of an international protection force to the borders, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Notably, the group also called for the dismantling of what it termed "armed militias established by the occupation," a phrase frequently used by Hamas to target local Palestinian security entities or groups perceived as cooperating with Israel. This demand appears aimed at ensuring Hamas remains the dominant Palestinian power during the transition to the proposed technocratic governance model.
Analysis: The 'Zero Trust' Reality
As The Zioneer reported earlier today, the Gaza Peace Council's framework was built on a "zero trust" model precisely because of the deep-seated skepticism between the parties. The latest statement from Hamas negotiator Razi Hamed reinforces this analysis, as he clarified that the group will not take any practical steps regarding its arsenal until Israel's commitments are verified.
For Jerusalem, these demands represent a significant hurdle. While the goal of a demilitarized Gaza is a primary security objective, the inclusion of statehood and the withdrawal of all security buffers are terms the Israeli government has historically rejected. The discrepancy between the President's announcement and Hamas's public conditions suggests that the "finalized" deal may still face substantial implementation gaps on the ground.
7 developments
- The Zioneer Intelligence Desk