Hamas rejects disarmament, calls international force "new form of occupation"

A senior Hamas official has indicated to the BBC that the group is expected to reject President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza, arguing that it “serves Israel's interests” while “ignoring those of the Palestinian people.”

Key elements of Trump’s plan, including the disarmament of Hamas and the transfer of all captives at once, are seen by the group as unacceptable. The official added that Hamas also opposes the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, which it regards as a new form of occupation.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the plan during White House discussions on Monday, but Hamas has yet to issue an official response. Qatar’s foreign ministry stated that Hamas is reviewing the proposal “responsibly.”

A senior Palestinian official familiar with Hamas negotiations told the BBC that discussions involve leadership both inside and outside Gaza. Ez al-Din al-Haddad, Hamas’s military commander in Gaza, is reportedly determined to continue fighting rather than accept the plan. Leaders outside the territory have been largely sidelined, as they do not have direct control over captives.

The talks, expected to span several days, also involve other Palestinian factions. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which formerly held some 'Israeli' captives, rejected the plan on Tuesday.

A central sticking point for Hamas is the requirement to hand over all captives at once, which would remove their primary bargaining leverage. Even with Trump’s endorsement, Hamas remains wary that 'Israel' might resume military operations after receiving the captives, particularly following a recent attempt to assassinate its leadership in Doha.

The Trump administration’s map of Gaza includes a proposed buffer zone along the southern border with Egypt. How this area would be managed is unclear, but if 'Israel' plays a role, it is likely to spark further disputes.

Since agreeing to the plan, Netanyahu has signaled reservations. In a video posted on X, he emphasized that 'Israeli' forces would remain in parts of Gaza and pledged to “forcibly resist” a Palestinian state, contradicting the plan’s stipulations for full 'Israeli' withdrawal and a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”