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Critics warn that Donald Trump's "Peace Board" plan prioritizes disarmament over reconstruction and Israeli withdrawal
Hamas must agree to destroy its extensive network of tunnels in Gaza and hand over its weapons in phases over eight months, according to a disarmament plan presented by US President Donald Trump's "Peace Board".
The plan sets a timeline that begins with the takeover of security control in Gaza by a Palestinian committee of technocrats, with US support, and ends with the full withdrawal of Israeli forces once "Gaza is confirmed to be free of weapons."
Disarming Hamas remains the main obstacle in negotiations to implement Trump's plan for Gaza and to strengthen the October ceasefire, which stopped a two-year, high-intensity war.
Hamas has long rejected calls to hand over the weapons, which are believed to be transported and stored mainly in tunnels under Gaza. Israel, on the other hand, says it will not agree to withdraw from Gaza without Hamas fully disarming first.
A Palestinian official close to the negotiations called the plan "unfair" and said Hamas would likely demand "changes and improvements."
The official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the talks, said the plan offered no guarantee that Israel would fulfill its obligations. He added that linking reconstruction and improving living conditions to political issues such as disarmament could lead to a resumption of war.
The full text of the plan, first reported by Al Jazeera, was shared with Reuters by two Palestinian officials involved in the negotiations. A Hamas official confirmed the document's authenticity.
The "Peace Board" presented the plan to Hamas last week.
Hamas has not made any public statements about the plan, but a Hamas official said the group is considering it. On Thursday, three other Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, issued statements criticizing the plan, saying it prioritizes disarmament at the expense of issues such as reconstruction and Israeli withdrawal.
The plan consists of two parts: a 12-point document titled "Steps to Complete the Implementation of Trump's Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza" and a five-phase calendar during which Hamas will hand over its weapons within eight months.
The first part envisions all armed factions in Gaza, including groups like Islamic Jihad, participating in a disarmament process that will be overseen by Palestinian technocrats, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
"The principle of one authority, one law, and one weapon will be implemented in Gaza, where only individuals authorized by the NCAG will be able to carry weapons, while all armed factions will cease military activities," the document states.
The document states that the disarmament process will be “verified by the Arms Collection Verification Committee,” a body to be established by Nikolay Mladenov, the chief envoy of the “Peace Committee.”
It also stipulates that reconstruction will only be allowed in declared demilitarized zones.
The October ceasefire saw Israel take control of a large part of Gaza, while Hamas maintained firm control over the rest of the territory and its roughly two million residents, most of whom have been left homeless after two years of relentless Israeli bombardment.
Hamas, which supports armed resistance and is committed to the destruction of Israel, has in recent months publicly rejected calls for disarmament. However, in private talks, Hamas officials have reportedly expressed a willingness to discuss disarmament, provided it is part of a political process leading to the creation of a Palestinian state. The 12-point document makes no mention of Palestinian statehood or independence.
According to the plan's timetable, in the first phase, lasting 15 days, the NCAG will take control of security and administration in Gaza and begin preparatory steps for the collection of weapons.
In the second phase, from the 16th to the 40th day, Israel will withdraw all heavy weapons from the areas it controls, including heavy artillery and tanks, while international security forces will also be deployed.
The third phase, from day 31 to day 90, will be more intense: Hamas will hand over all heavy weapons and military equipment to the NCAG and will "enable the destruction of all tunnels, explosives and military infrastructure."
In the fourth phase, from day 91 to day 250, NCAG police forces will collect and register the remaining weapons, including pistols and rifles. Israeli forces will begin a gradual withdrawal.
The fifth phase is described as the “final verification” of disarmament and foresees “the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, with the exception of the presence in the security zone, and the commencement of comprehensive reconstruction.” /Adapted from Pamphlet /
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