Hamas official says the group ready to discuss ‘freezing or storing’ its weapons

Hamas Signals Openness to Storing Weapons Under Gaza Ceasefire Deal

A senior Hamas official has indicated the group is prepared to consider “freezing or storing” its arsenal of weapons as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel, potentially addressing one of the most contentious issues in the U.S.-brokered peace process.

Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, told The Associated Press in Doha, Qatar, that the group is “open to have a comprehensive approach” to avoid further escalation as the parties prepare to enter the second and more complex phase of the agreement.

“We can talk about freezing or storing or laying down, with the Palestinian guarantees, not to use it at all during this ceasefire time or truce,” Naim stated, suggesting a long-term truce of five to ten years could provide time for meaningful discussions about the future.

The ceasefire, which halted Israel’s two-year military campaign in Gaza launched after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, has already facilitated exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. With only the remains of one Israeli policeman still held in Gaza, negotiations are now shifting toward the more challenging aspects of the agreement.

The second phase aims to establish a framework for Gaza’s future, addressing critical issues including the deployment of an international security force, creation of a technocratic Palestinian committee to govern Gaza, withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the contentious matter of Hamas disarmament. President Trump will lead an international board overseeing the deal’s implementation and Gaza’s reconstruction.

Israeli officials have emphasized that Hamas disarmament is a non-negotiable demand that could impede progress in other areas. The militant group’s identity has long been intertwined with what it calls “armed resistance” against Israel, making disarmament particularly difficult despite the devastating toll of the conflict that has left large portions of Gaza in ruins and tens of thousands of Palestinians dead.

While Naim maintained Hamas’ “right to resist,” he indicated the group’s willingness to set aside its weapons as part of a process leading toward Palestinian statehood. However, it remains unclear whether his proposed weapons freeze would satisfy Israel’s demands for complete disarmament.

The ceasefire is based on a 20-point plan presented by Trump and endorsed by the UN Security Council, though Naim acknowledged the plan “is in need of a lot of clarifications” regarding implementation details and timelines.

One immediate priority is the deployment of an international stabilization force. Several countries, including Indonesia, have expressed willingness to contribute troops, with U.S. officials expecting “boots on the ground” by early next year. The force’s composition, command structure, and responsibilities remain undefined, particularly regarding whether it will handle disarmament issues.

Naim clarified that Hamas would welcome UN forces “near the borders, supervising the ceasefire agreement, reporting about violations, preventing any kind of escalations,” but rejected giving these forces authority to operate “inside the Palestinian territories.”

In a positive development, Naim reported progress on forming the technocratic committee to administer Gaza, saying Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have agreed on a Palestinian Cabinet minister from the West Bank with Gaza origins to head the committee. Though unnamed in the interview, Hamas officials speaking anonymously have identified Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan as the selected leader.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the first phase of the agreement. Israel claims Hamas has deliberately delayed hostage returns, while Palestinian health officials report over 370 Palestinians killed in continuing Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began. Israel maintains these strikes respond to Palestinian violations, including infiltration into Israeli-held areas of Gaza.

Naim disputed Israeli claims that it has fulfilled its obligations, arguing Israel has failed to flood Gaza with promised humanitarian supplies and has not reopened the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt. He added that most supplies entering Gaza are commercial goods accessible only to those with financial means, leaving many impoverished residents without food or shelter.

When asked about the October 7 attack, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostages, Naim defended it as “an act of defense” in response to decades of Israeli policies. “History didn’t start on October 7,” he said. “We have done our duty to raise the voice of our people.”

The conflict has resulted in over 70,000 Palestinian deaths according to local health officials, with approximately half being women and children. The extensive destruction will require years of reconstruction, raising questions about funding and timeline that remain unaddressed.