Hamas intends to maintain security control in Gaza during the transition period and does not commit to disarming, said Mohammed Nazzal, a member of the group, in an interview with Reuters from Doha. The statements reflect the impasses that make it difficult to consolidate the ceasefire and implement the peace plan supported by the United States and Israel.
“I can’t answer with a yes or no. It depends on the nature of the project. What does the disarmament project mean? Who would the weapons be given to?”said Nazzal, stressing that the issue involves not only Hamas, but other Palestinian factions.
The leader indicated that the group is willing to a ceasefire for three to five years to rebuild Gaza, devastated by the war. “The objective is not to prepare a new war”he stated, adding that guarantees for the future require that “horizons and hope are offered to the Palestinian people”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his support for the plan presented by Donald Trump, which envisages the immediate return of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas and the transfer of Gaza governance to a technocratic committee supervised by an international entity.
Israel, according to a government spokesperson, “remains committed to the ceasefire agreement and fulfills its part of the plan.”
Since the attacks on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 dead and 251 kidnapped in Israel, Israeli forces have launched an offensive that, according to local authorities, has already caused almost 68,000 deaths in Gaza.
Asked about the delivery of the bodies of dead hostages, Nazzal stated that Hamas has already returned nine of the 28 identified and is facing “technical problems” in recovering others. “We have no interest in keeping the bodies. If necessary, international parties such as Turkey or the United States will assist in searches”, he stated.
Nazzal also confirmed that the group will continue to be present “on the ground” during the transition phase, justifying this presence as necessary to protect humanitarian aid convoys. “This is a transitional phase. Civilly, there will be a technocratic administration. On the ground, Hamas will be present,” he said.
According to Nazzal, the process should culminate in Palestinian elections. “The Palestinian people want an independent state,” he concluded.