Hamas signals readiness to surrender heavy weapons under ceasefire conditions

Hamas is reportedly prepared to place its heavy weapons under storage as part of a proposed second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, provided Israel agrees to fully withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip and halt all military operations.

According to Palestine Al-Youm, a television channel affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an announcement on the proposed agreement is expected later today following discussions between Hamas and international mediators.

However, any deal would still require Israel’s approval before it can be implemented.

The report states that Hamas would store, rather than destroy, its heavy weapons, although it remains unclear which party would oversee or take custody of the arsenal.

No details were provided regarding the group’s light weapons, suggesting they are not part of the current proposal.

Under the reported framework, the issue of Hamas’ weapons would be tied to key Israeli concessions, including a complete military withdrawal from Gaza, an end to targeted killings, and a cessation of air and ground strikes across the territory.

Despite the reported progress, the proposed conditions are expected to face significant resistance from Israel.

Previous rounds of negotiations have shown Israel’s reluctance to accept a full withdrawal or end military operations without broader security guarantees.