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Hamas signals readiness to surrender thousands of police weapons in Gaza to a new Trump led peace body, stopping short of full disarmament demanded by Israel.
Hamas Says It Can Transfer Thousands of Arms to Gaza Administration. (AFP)
Six months after the ceasefire with Israel came into effect, Hamas said on Sunday it is ready to give up thousands of automatic rifles and other weapons used by its police and internal security services in Gaza.
According to a New York Times report, two officials from the group said the weapons could be handed over as part of ongoing discussions linked to the ceasefire.
Such a move would mark a notable change for Hamas. Until now, the group has publicly refused to give up its weapons.
The officials said the arms would be transferred to a Palestinian administrative committee set up to run Gaza. This body has been formed under the Board of Peace, an international organisation led by Donald Trump to oversee the ceasefire process.
Despite the offer, the proposal does not include full disarmament. This falls short of a key demand by Israel and a central part of Trump’s peace plan, which calls for complete demilitarisation of Gaza and removal of Hamas from power.
When asked whether weapons belonging to Hamas’s military wing would also be surrendered, the officials did not give a clear answer.
Experts believe the group’s military wing holds far more weapons than its police, including tens of thousands of rifles and heavier arms such as anti-tank rockets.
Talks underway in Cairo
The statements were made by two Gaza-based Hamas officials who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue. Their comments came during negotiations in Cairo between Hamas and Board of Peace representatives.
Since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza, Hamas leaders inside Gaza have rarely spoken to international media. This is partly due to concerns that communications could be intercepted.
In contrast, leaders based in Qatar, Turkey and Lebanon have usually spoken on behalf of the group. However, officials inside Gaza still play a key role in decisions about ceasefire talks and the group’s future.
Pressure for full disarmament
The Board of Peace has called on Hamas to give up all its weapons in return for Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and reconstruction of areas damaged during the war.
Armed resistance has long been central to Hamas’s ideology and its hold on power. Many members see giving up weapons as surrender. Still, experts say the latest statement could signal a shift.
Mkhaimar Abusada said the move might be an attempt to avoid rejecting the peace plan outright. He added that giving up police weapons could open the way for further negotiations.
Governance transition plans
Hamas officials said they have already held three meetings in Gaza City with other factions and government representatives to prepare for transferring control to the new administrative committee.
The group has previously indicated it is ready to hand over responsibility for public services to the US-backed body.
While they did not demand a role in the new administration, the officials said Hamas still plans to remain active in Palestinian politics and continue resisting Israel until a Palestinian state is established.
Preparations for handover
According to the officials, preparations for transferring power are complete, except for the absence of the new administration on the ground. The committee is currently operating from Cairo.
In anticipation of the transition, authorities in Gaza have stopped new appointments and promotions. They also said many Hamas members could be integrated into the new system, particularly in roles such as policing.
The Board of Peace appears open to allowing some employees of the current Hamas-run administration to continue working under the new structure.
Fear of another conflict
With Benjamin Netanyahu warning that Hamas could be disarmed by force if necessary, many in Gaza fear further fighting.
Residents have expressed a desire for an end to the conflict. One displaced civilian, Saed Abu Aita, who lost two daughters in an airstrike and is living in a tent in central Gaza, said people want both Hamas to give up weapons and Israeli forces to withdraw.
United States of America (USA)
April 20, 2026, 10:35 IST
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