Hamas said Friday it agreed to include the heavy weapons issue in the emerging Gaza framework, but conditioned it on a complete cessation of aggression, full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, dismantling of armed groups established by 'the occupation', reconstruction, and the establishment of a Palestinian state, according to a statement reported by N13 / Army Radio.
Hamas on Friday issued a statement formally agreeing to include the heavy weapons issue in the emerging Gaza framework, but attached sweeping political conditions that go beyond the current disarmament roadmap. The terror group demanded a complete cessation of all forms of aggression, full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, dismantling of armed groups it said were established by "the occupation," reconstruction, the right to self-determination, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The statement, reported by N13 / Army Radio, was released at 15:50 Jerusalem time.
Earlier today, Hamas issued a separate statement conditioning the second phase of the deal on Israel's commitment to "stop the killing and end the aggression" (15:30). This followed remarks by Hamas negotiator Razi Hamed (12:17) who said the weapons issue is tied to Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction. The latest statement is the first time Hamas has explicitly agreed to include heavy weapons in the agreement, but it adds a maximalist political framework that may complicate the phased implementation envisioned by the U.S.-led Gaza Peace Council plan, which Hamas accepted earlier Friday (05:15).
The Peace Council roadmap published Friday afternoon outlines a staged disarmament process with heavy weapons stored under Palestinian custody, but does not address Hamas's political demands for self-determination and statehood. The new statement appears to raise the bar for progress beyond the current technical framework.
2 developments
- StrongHamas: Israel must commit to 'stop the killing' before second phase of deal
- StrongHamas reportedly agrees to all clauses of Trump's Gaza plan, sources say
- StrongHamas negotiator: No weapons deal unless Israel fulfills commitments
- DevelopingGaza Peace Council publishes roadmap for disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, Palestinian statehood
Source and signal
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