• Senior Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal states the group cannot commit to giving up its weapons
  • Disarmament is directly tied to ending Israeli occupation in Gaza, Nazzal insists
  • The position creates a major obstacle for ceasefire negotiations and post-war governance plans

Senior Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal stated unequivocally that the group cannot commit to disarming, framing the possession of weapons as an essential response to Israeli occupation that would only become unnecessary "when the occupation ends."

In comments that underscore the significant hurdles facing ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Nazzal rejected calls for Hamas to lay down its arms as "unacceptable" and dismissed proposals for international trusteeship over Gaza as a return to colonial administration. The official position directly links any discussion of disarmament to the fundamental issue of Israeli occupation.

"When the occupation ends, there will be no need for weapons," Nazzal articulated, according to people familiar with the discussions. This stance puts Hamas at odds with international proposals that include demilitarization as a core requirement for reconstruction aid and political normalization.

The Trump administration's peace plan specifically requires Hamas's disarmament, tying future aid and normalization to this condition. However, Hamas leadership remains steadfast in its position that weapons are a necessary deterrent until sovereignty concerns are addressed.

Efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire have hit repeated snags, with Israel recently imposing additional sanctions and restricting humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing alleged violations in the release of bodies of Israeli captives. These measures have further complicated diplomatic efforts and fueled skepticism about the durability of the current truce.

Meanwhile, the population of Gaza continues to suffer amid slow progress on political settlement and internal instability. The Gaza Interior Ministry has recently implemented measures to restore security, including cracking down on criminal gangs and granting amnesty to non-violent offenders, with local tribal councils expressing support for restoring civil order.

Attempts to reach Hamas officials for additional comment on Thursday were unsuccessful. The group's unwavering position on maintaining its armed capabilities suggests that negotiations over Gaza's future governance structure face significant obstacles, with the disarmament issue emerging as a central sticking point that could determine whether a lasting peace agreement is achievable.