A document reviewed by Reuters reveals that a peace council established by US President Donald Trump has presented a plan to the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, requiring the destruction of Gaza’s tunnel network and the gradual surrender of weapons.
The proposal outlines an eight month timeline beginning with the transfer of security control in Gaza to a national administrative committee, a Palestinian technocratic body supported by the United States. The process would conclude with a full Israeli withdrawal, contingent upon final verification that Gaza is free of weapons.
Disarmament at the Core of Dispute
The issue of disarming Hamas remains a central point of contention in ongoing discussions aimed at implementing Trump’s Gaza plan and stabilising the ceasefire reached in October, which ended a war that lasted nearly two years.
Two Palestinian officials involved in the negotiations provided Reuters with the full text of the proposal. The peace council reportedly presented the plan to Hamas last week, though the movement has not issued a public response.
The proposal consists of two components. The first is a 12 point document titled “Steps to Complete the Implementation of Trump’s Comprehensive Peace Plan in Gaza.” The second outlines a phased timeline composed of five stages, during which Hamas would hand over its weapons over the course of eight months.
The document states that all armed factions in Gaza, including groups such as Islamic Jihad, would participate in the disarmament process under the supervision of the national administrative committee.
Clause four stipulates that Gaza would be governed under the principle of one authority, one law, and one weapon, allowing only individuals authorised by the committee to possess arms, while all factions would cease military activity.
Palestinian Led Process with International Oversight
According to clause ten, the disarmament process would be led by Palestinians through the national administrative committee, with international verification conducted by a dedicated monitoring body supported by an international stabilisation force.
Nikolay Mladenov, serving as the peace council’s high representative, is expected to oversee the formation of the verification committee responsible for monitoring the collection of weapons.
Clause two states that reconstruction materials, including early recovery supplies and approved dual use materials, would be permitted to enter only areas verified as disarmed and effectively governed by the national committee.
While Hamas has publicly rejected calls for disarmament in recent months, officials within the movement have privately indicated openness to such a process if it is part of a political pathway leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
However, the 12 point plan makes no reference to the establishment of a Palestinian state or independence. A Hamas official confirmed that the movement is currently studying the document.
Criticism from Palestinian Factions
Three Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, issued statements criticising the proposal, arguing that it prioritises disarmament over key issues such as reconstruction and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Phased Timeline of Implementation
Under the proposed timeline, the first phase would last 15 days, during which the national administrative committee would assume full administrative and security authority over Gaza, while preparatory steps for weapons collection begin.
In the second phase, from day 16 to day 40, Israel would dismantle all heavy weaponry, including artillery and tanks, from areas under its control, while an international security force would be deployed.
Heavy Weapons and Tunnel Destruction
The third phase, spanning day 30 to day 90, would see Hamas hand over all heavy weapons and military equipment to the committee and permit the destruction of all tunnels and unexploded materials.
The fourth phase, from day 91 to day 250, would involve the formation of a security committee tasked with registering and collecting light and personal weapons, alongside a gradual Israeli withdrawal based on verification processes.
The fifth and final phase is described as a period of final verification confirming that Gaza is free of weapons. It would include a complete Israeli withdrawal, except for a designated security perimeter, and the commencement of comprehensive reconstruction efforts.
Continued Escalation and Ceasefire Violations
Sources within Hamas have not formally commented on the document. However, the movement has recently stated that Israeli escalation in Gaza reflects an attempt to undermine the ceasefire process.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated that ongoing Israeli actions, including continued killings, tightening of the blockade, and obstruction of reconstruction, demonstrate a clear intention to derail the ceasefire and the efforts of the peace council.
He added that the continued targeting of Gaza’s population and the intensification of the siege represent an extension of the ongoing genocide in a different form. He stressed that Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement require mediators and guarantors to exert real pressure to halt these breaches and lift the blockade, enabling the continuation of ceasefire implementation.
