Senior Hamas Official Discusses Weapon Storage and International Forces
Proposal for Long-Term Ceasefire
In an address from Doha, senior Hamas official Bassam Naim proposed a potential pathway for the organization to store its arsenal as part of a broader peace process aimed at establishing a Palestinian state. He suggested a long-term ceasefire spanning five to ten years to facilitate negotiations with Israel. Naim emphasized a need for a comprehensive approach to prevent further escalation, conflicts, or explosions, expressing what he termed “open-mindedness” regarding the management of Hamas’ weapons.
Conditions for Weapon Management
Naim stated that while Hamas retains the “right to exist,” the organization is willing to consider options for the suspension or storage of its weaponry within the framework of a ceasefire agreement. He clarified that these discussions would require guarantees from Palestinian authorities to refrain from using the weapons during the ceasefire period. However, uncertainties remain about whether this proposal aligns with Israel’s demand for the complete demilitarization of Hamas.
International Oversight and Limitations
Naim welcomed the idea of a United Nations force to monitor the ceasefire agreement, stating that such a force could help report violations and prevent escalations. However, he firmly rejected any notion that this force would have a mandate to operate within Palestinian territories, insisting that their presence be limited to the borders.
Dialogue with Palestinian Authority
In parallel, Naim noted the progress made between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in establishing a new technocratic committee to manage Gaza’s affairs. This committee will reportedly be headed by a Palestinian cabinet minister originally from Gaza but residing in the West Bank. Sources within Hamas indicated that this move aims to strengthen governance in Gaza while maintaining internal political structures.
Ongoing Tensions Over Arms Control
Khalil al-Hayya, a leader of Hamas in Gaza, reiterated these points, asserting that the organization’s weapons would remain in its possession until the establishment of a Palestinian state. He added that discussions about arms control are ongoing with various factions and mediators. Al-Hayya pointed out that the situation revolves around the presence of Israeli forces, claiming that the weapons are directly linked to Israel’s occupation and aggression.
Efforts to negotiate a solution regarding arms storage have reportedly led Hamas to approach the Palestinian Authority for assistance, with expectations that the Authority would simply hold onto the arms without mandated destruction or forfeiture.
The discourse surrounding these developments indicates a complex interplay of negotiations, regional diplomacy, and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian statehood, necessitating continued dialogue and clear agreements to mitigate conflict.