Hamas says it will maintain security control in Gaza, cannot commit to disarm: Reuters interview

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that the group intends to retain control over Gaza’s security apparatus during an interim phase and cannot yet commit to disarming.

In an interview from Doha, Mohammed Nazzal, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said the group is prepared for a ceasefire lasting up to five years to allow for reconstruction in the war-ravaged enclave, provided Palestinians are offered “horizons and hope” for eventual statehood.

“I can’t answer with a yes or no,” Nazzal said when asked if Hamas would agree to disarm. “Frankly, it depends on the nature of the project. The disarmament project you’re talking about, what does it mean? To whom will the weapons be handed over?”
Nazzal added that any discussion of weapons would involve not only Hamas but other armed Palestinian factions, and must be part of a broader national dialogue.

Security control and ceasefire terms

According to Reuters, Nazzal defended Hamas’ ongoing presence on the ground, saying it was necessary during the transitional period to maintain order and protect humanitarian convoys from looting and armed gangs.

“This is a transitional phase. Civilly, there will be a technocratic administration as I said. On the ground, Hamas will be present,” he said. “After the transitional phase, there should be elections.”

US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposal, announced on September 29, calls for Hamas to return all captives, commit to disarmament, and transfer governance to a technocratic committee supervised by an international body.
'Israel' backed the plan, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it would dismantle Hamas’ military capacity and ensure Gaza would never again threaten 'Israel'.

'Israeli', US reactions

Responding to Nazzal’s remarks, 'Israel’s' prime minister’s office told Reuters that Hamas must fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire deal.

“Hamas is supposed to release all hostages in stage 1. It has not,” the statement said. “Hamas are to be disarmed under this agreement. No ifs, no buts. They have not. Hamas need to adhere to the 20-point plan. They are running out of time.”
The White House referred Reuters to comments by President Trump, who said Thursday, “We have a commitment from them and I assume they’re going to honour their commitment,” noting that Hamas had returned more bodies of captives but without elaborating on disarmament.

Captive remains and reconstruction

Nazzal told Reuters that Hamas has no intention of keeping the remains of deceased captives seized during the October 7, 2023 attacks. He said the group has handed over at least nine of 28 bodies and is facing “technical problems” in recovering more.

He added that international actors, including Turkey and the United States, may assist in locating the bodies.
A senior Turkish official told Reuters last week that Ankara would join a joint task force with the US, 'Israel', Qatar, and Egypt to coordinate the search.

A long-term truce and the question of Palestinian statehood

Nazzal reiterated Hamas’ willingness to pursue a long-term truce lasting three to five years, saying the goal is “not to prepare for another war” but to rebuild Gaza.

“The Palestinian people want an independent Palestinian state,” he said. “Beyond that period, guarantees for the future would require states to provide horizons and hope for the Palestinian people.”
Despite Hamas’ expressed openness to a truce, Israel maintains that such positions are a façade aimed at preserving the group’s power.