Senior Hamas figures are now required to relinquish their personal weapons as part of a fragile ceasefire plan that could reshape Gaza’s fate.
At a Glance
- Senior Hamas leaders in Doha have been ordered to give up personal arms under new truce terms.
- The proposed ceasefire spans 60 days and includes staged releases of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees.
- Israel has reportedly agreed to the conditions, but Hamas continues to review the draft.
- Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. are brokering guarantees tied to a full war end.
- Heavy Israeli strikes persist, with more than 57,000 Palestinian deaths reported since October 2023.
Weapons Surrender as Symbolic Power Shift
In a dramatic shift, Hamas leaders in Doha have been instructed to relinquish their personal weapons, marking a symbolic surrender aimed at paving the way for a broader ceasefire. Senior officials Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin were reportedly included in this directive, which underscores Israel’s demand for total Hamas demilitarization following any truce agreement.
The proposed plan—crafted with U.S. backing—outlines a 60-day cessation of hostilities during which Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees would be exchanged in carefully sequenced stages. Israel would also pull back from key areas of Gaza, contingent on guarantees for a permanent end to the war. Foreign Minister Israel Katz has signaled tentative approval of the deal, calling recent developments “encouraging” even as military pressure continues.
Watch a report: Hamas Reviews New Ceasefire Proposal
Humanitarian Breakthrough or Strategic Pause?
Under the ceasefire blueprint, Gaza would see an increase in humanitarian deliveries—with up to 600 aid trucks and 50 fuel transports permitted daily. The Arab Center’s analysis reveals that Israel would also halt aerial operations for up to 12 hours each day, providing a temporary reprieve from continuous bombardment.
Despite these steps, Hamas insists on written assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities, while Netanyahu’s government demands the complete dismantling of Hamas before agreeing to a final peace. Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reports that mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are attempting to bridge the divide with enforceable international guarantees.
Countdown to a Fragile Truce
The United Nations has condemned the Israeli campaign in Gaza as “genocidal,” demanding an arms embargo and sanctions amid spiraling casualties. More than 450 Palestinians were reportedly killed during humanitarian aid handouts, many by American private contractors acting with Israeli coordination. The death toll in Gaza now surpasses 57,000 since the war began in October 2023.
With Hamas expected to respond formally within days and Israel preparing for negotiations in Washington, the ceasefire deal remains precariously balanced. If the weapons handover proceeds and hostilities pause, Gaza may glimpse a fleeting window of relief. If talks collapse, the consequences could reignite full-scale war across the region.
