Hamas Dismisses U.S.-Backed Disarmament Proposal Amid Ongoing Tensions in Gaza

Tue Apr 14 2026 18:01:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hamas has firmly rejected a disarmament plan proposed by Nickolay Mladenov, a key figure in U.S. peace efforts for Gaza, citing bias towards Israel. This refusal highlights the ongoing deadlock in negotiations, with Hamas demanding complete Israeli compliance with prior agreements before considering further discussions.

In a significant development, Hamas has rejected a disarmament plan outlined by U.S. envoy Nickolay Mladenov, labelling it biased. The Palestinian group insists that discussions on Gaza's demilitarisation will not proceed unless Israel fully implements the terms of the previous ceasefire phase. This deadlock, coupled with calls for a complete Israeli withdrawal, highlights the complex and deeply entrenched issues at the heart of Middle East peace efforts.

Hamas has rejected the disarmament plan of a top figure in President Donald Trump's Gaza peace efforts, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations has told the BBC.

The official accused Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, of bias towards Israel. Last month, Mladenov outlined a framework for Gaza's demilitarisation as part of the second phase of the ceasefire deal agreed by Hamas and Israel in October.

The official stated that Hamas told regional mediators it would not engage in talks on the second phase until Israel fully implemented the terms of the first phase.

Israel has indicated it will not proceed without progress on Hamas's disarmament.

A Hamas delegation in Cairo was set to meet with Egypt's intelligence chief on Tuesday before concluding their visit.

The initial phase of Trump's peace plan ended hostilities, returned all Israeli hostages kept by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, and involved a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Despite the announcement in mid-January by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the launch of the second phase of Trump's plan, a deadlock between Israel and Hamas persists. This phase aims at achieving a permanent cessation of conflict, pending Gaza's demilitarisation and a complete Israeli withdrawal.

Mladenov's recent proposal, made last month, included comprehensive plans for Palestinian armed groups in Gaza to decommission their weaponry, tying compliance to the initiation of reconstruction efforts following the extensive damage inflicted by the Israeli military on the territory.

The conflict flared following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties. Over 72,330 individuals have reportedly died in ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza since that date, including 757 since the ceasefire commenced on October 10, 2025.

A senior Hamas official emphasized the group is looking for clarity from Mladenov on a timetable for Israel to meet the remaining obligations of phase one alongside guarantees against further Israeli aggressions before any discussions regarding phase two occur.

Furthermore, the Palestinian factions assert that the arms issue is fundamentally linked to a broader resolution that guarantees the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, rather than being constrained to piecemeal solutions.

The official argued that Mladenov's stance aligns with Israeli views, which often link disarmament to the absence of financial support for essential recovery and relief efforts, ultimately hindering the reconstruction of Gaza.

In addressing the UN Security Council, Mladenov articulated that the disarmament of militant groups would be pivotal in breaking cycles of violence that have plagued Gaza for years, stating that the implications for the local populace are critical, necessitating military withdrawal and large-scale reconstruction initiatives.

Amid conflicting positions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously asserted that Hamas will be disarmed “either the easy way or the hard way.”