Hamas has indicated it is willing to discuss the “freezing or storing” of its weapons arsenal as part of the emerging ceasefire framework with Israel, according to senior official Bassem Naim, who spoke to the Associated Press from Doha.
The proposal, coming just before the launch of the second and far more complex phase of negotiations, suggests a potential pathway toward addressing one of the most contentious issues on the table: disarmament.
Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said the organisation is prepared to explore a “comprehensive approach” aimed at preventing any further escalation or outbreak of conflict. While Israel has repeatedly insisted that Hamas must fully surrender its weapons, Naim signalled that the group may consider alternative mechanisms, including long-term storage or supervised non-use of arms, within a broader political process that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He stressed that Hamas “maintains the right to resist,” but added that the organisation is willing to place its weapons under arrangements linked to a durable political agreement. A possible five- to ten-year truce, he said, could create the space needed for such discussions. “We are very open about what can be done with the weapons,” he noted, explaining that options include freezing, storage, or depositing them under guarantees that they will not be used during the ceasefire period.
It remains unclear whether this proposal would meet Israel’s core demand for complete demilitarisation of Hamas—an issue Israeli officials say is critical for progress in all other areas of the agreement.
Asked whether the 7 October attack was a mistake, Naim defended it as an “act of defence,” reiterating Hamas’ call for a Palestinian state.
The second phase of negotiations is expected to be significantly more challenging. Key issues include the deployment of an international stabilisation force in Gaza, the creation of a technocratic Palestinian committee to manage civilian affairs, the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the future of Hamas’ military capabilities. According to the outline of the 20-point plan negotiated so far, a multinational commission led by Donald Trump is expected to oversee implementation and reconstruction in Gaza.
Many components of the agreement require substantial clarification, Naim acknowledged. One of the most pressing remains the role and mandate of the international security force. While several countries have expressed willingness to contribute troops, its composition, command structure, and operational authority are still undefined. Naim stressed that Hamas would not accept any mandate that includes forced disarmament, saying the force should focus solely on monitoring the agreement.
