Hamas accepts US peace plan in principle but refuses disarmament — Israel insists on Gaza demilitarisation
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are set to begin tomorrow in Cairo, aiming to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and a swap of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped to announce the hostages’ release “within the coming days,” while reiterating that Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza demilitarised, “by the easy way or the hard way.”
His comments followed a Friday statement from Hamas, which accepted in principle the US peace proposal — agreeing to the hostages’ release but omitting any reference to disarmament. This suggests Hamas intends to negotiate additional conditions during the talks.
On Saturday, Hamas accused Israel of committing “massacres” after renewed airstrikes and urged the international community to increase pressure on Tel Aviv.
According to Al-Qahera News, a Cairo-based outlet close to Egyptian intelligence, delegations from both sides are already en route to the Egyptian capital. Talks are expected to focus on field conditions and logistics for the proposed hostage-prisoner exchange, based on US President Donald Trump’s plan.
Despite both parties signalling readiness for dialogue, security guarantees and disarmament remain key sticking points. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether the negotiations can lead to a sustainable ceasefire and de-escalation in the long-running conflict.
