Hamas accuses 'Israel' of last-minute manipulation over Gaza deal

• Hamas accuses 'Israel' of manipulating withdrawal, prisoner lists, and return of displaced Palestinians.
• Movement confirms it will not participate in governing Gaza post-war.
• Hamas insists resistance weapons remain non-negotiable.
• 'Israel' urged by mediators to adhere to agreed schedules.

As the Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement approaches its scheduled implementation, Hamas accused the Israeli Occupation on Thursday of attempting “manipulation and evasion” over critical clauses regarding withdrawal, prisoner lists, and the return of displaced Palestinians.

A Hamas spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the movement “will not be part of governing Gaza” in the post-war phase, stressing that while it has shown flexibility on administrative matters, the resistance’s weapons remain “non-negotiable.”

- Accusations of manipulation -

The spokesperson accused 'Israel' of trying “to manipulate the timelines, the lists, and some of the agreed-upon steps,” urging mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, as well as guarantor states, to ensure the occupation adheres to the agreed schedule.

He explained that Hamas understood from the mediators that the agreement represents “the beginning of ending the war of genocide” and “the end of the relentless war on our people,” emphasizing that the immediate priority is to create safe and suitable conditions on the ground for the handover of captives.

- Implementation plan -

'Israeli' newspaper Haaretz reported details of the first phase of the agreement, citing a political source:

• Partial withdrawal: The 'Israeli' army will complete the first phase of withdrawal within 24 hours of the agreement’s implementation, before the release of living captives.
• US confirmation: The United States will issue a statement confirming the completion of these measures.
• Prisoner return: Captives will be returned within 72 hours of completing the initial withdrawal phase.
• Political shift: Hamas and Gaza governance

In a significant development, the Hamas spokesperson stated that the movement had shown flexibility regarding the future administration of Gaza, saying, “Hamas will not be part of governing Gaza.”

However, he drew a firm line on the resistance’s weapons, declaring, “There are approaches we discuss with the mediators to stop the fighting, but not on the basis of surrendering weapons,” adding that “the resistance’s weapons are legitimate for defending our people and ensuring Palestinian decision-making independence.”

The spokesperson also called for “a national Palestinian dialogue involving all parties to manage the national Palestinian struggle,” signaling a broader effort to unify Palestinian political and civil structures during the post-conflict transition.