Hamas Rejects Disarmament Talks Without Israeli Gaza Withdrawal

In Cairo, Palestinian militant group Hamas informed Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators on April 1 and 2 that it will not engage in discussions on disarmament without firm guarantees of a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, according to three sources familiar with the talks. The stance emerged during initial responses to a U.S.-backed disarmament proposal presented last month as part of efforts to advance President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan for the enclave.

The meetings addressed a key impasse in implementing the plan, which aims to solidify the October 2024 ceasefire that ended two years of intense conflict. Hamas conveyed demands for amendments, including an immediate halt to what it describes as Israeli ceasefire violations, full adherence to the agreement's terms, and Israel's complete exit from Gaza. Sources noted that Hamas also requested clarification on Israel's expansion of controlled areas, pointing out that Israeli forces retain authority over more than half the territory following the truce.

Hamas has accused Israel of repeated breaches, including strikes that have killed hundreds of Palestinians since the ceasefire. Israeli officials maintain that such...