Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas' chief negotiator, stated on 6/12 that the group would not lay down its weapons as long as Israeli forces occupied and intervened in the Gaza Strip.

"Once the occupation ends, these weapons will be placed under the state's control," Hayya said, referring to an independent Palestinian state authority.

Hamas gunmen in central Gaza on 22/2. *Photo: AFP*

The Hamas chief negotiator also affirmed the group's agreement to the United Nations deploying a separate force to the Gaza Strip, tasked with monitoring borders and ensuring ceasefire compliance in the territory. However, Hamas opposes the deployment of an international force to Gaza with a disarmament mandate.

The conflict in Gaza erupted after Hamas forces attacked Israel on 7/10/2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 people taken hostage. Israel's retaliatory campaign has since led to over 69,000 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly civilians.

A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, effective since October, remains in place but is fragile due to mutual accusations of violations. Disarming Hamas and establishing an international force to monitor security in the Gaza Strip are the two biggest challenges to this plan.

Ngoc Anh (Via AFP)