Hamas confirms readiness to disarm and hand over control of Gaza

Hamas leaders, during a meeting in Egypt with U.S. President's representative Jared Kushner and the "Board of Peace," confirmed their commitment to the disarmament and demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Axios writes.

A source of the publication described the 90-minute meeting as "very productive," as it made it possible to confirm that Hamas is taking practical steps to fulfill its obligations."

Axios notes that Kushner used this meeting to put pressure on the Hamas leadership, demanding concrete steps from them on disarmament. According to sources, Kushner stressed that "the bar is high": Israel does not trust the group and will not believe promises until it sees real results.

Kushner also stated that the issue of disarmament is not a subject of negotiations.

"There can be no ambiguity: Hamas must give up governing power and all weapons and military infrastructure. And Gaza can never again be a source of terror for Israel," the Axios interlocutor said.

The talks concerned the transition to the next stage of the U.S. peace plan. The main conditions include:

for Hamas: the transfer of control of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian technocratic government and a complete renunciation of any political and military role in the enclave's future;

for Israel: If real disarmament is demonstrated, the United States will facilitate Israel's taking of "appropriate steps," including the deployment of an International Stabilization Force, the start of reconstruction in the Rafah area, and discussion of a phased withdrawal of troops.

Hamas confirmed its agreement with the "road map" of the second stage of the plan, which includes a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction. At the same time, the group expressed dissatisfaction with the continuing Israeli strikes and accused Israel of failing to implement the first phase of the agreement.

According to Axios, Kushner is expected to visit Israel on Monday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The purpose of the visit will be to discuss the steps that Israel must take in response to the process of Gaza's demilitarization.

At the end of July, Trump reported that the "Board of Peace" and Hamas had reached a "historic agreement," under which the group agreed to complete disarmament. Under the agreement, all other armed groups in Gaza must also disarm.

Later, Netanyahu publicly rejected the plan for the phased disarmament of Hamas and further actions to implement the truce, the terms of which were formulated by the "Board of Peace."

In July, Hamas announced the dissolution of its government in Gaza and preparations for the transfer of power to a technical committee with the support of the UN.

Source: RBC