Jared Evan
(TJV NEWS) A new diplomatic proposal presented to Hamas outlines a phased plan to dismantle its military capabilities over several months, marking a notable shift in efforts to secure a longer-term ceasefire in Gaza, as The Times of Israel reported.
According to The Times of Israel, mediators in Cairo delivered a framework that would require Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza to gradually surrender their weapons rather than disarm all at once. The plan is designed to unfold over an extended period, with key benchmarks built into the timeline.
One of the central components of the proposal calls for Hamas to hand over its most significant weapons systems—including rockets and launchers—within roughly 90 days, The Times of Israel reported. In addition, the group would be expected to provide detailed maps of its extensive tunnel network, a critical part of its military infrastructure.
The proposal represents a departure from Israel’s longstanding position. As The Times of Israel reported, Israeli officials have traditionally rejected phased disarmament in favor of a complete and immediate dismantling of Hamas’s arsenal. However, in this case, Israel did not block the plan from being presented to the militant group, signaling at least some openness to exploring alternative approaches.
Diplomatic sources indicated that the gradual structure is intended to make the proposal more palatable to Hamas, which has historically resisted calls to fully disarm. By spacing the process over months, mediators hope to create incentives tied to reconstruction efforts and broader political arrangements in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported.
The broader initiative is part of ongoing attempts to link Hamas’s disarmament to post-war rebuilding plans in the Gaza Strip. As The Times of Israel reported, officials believe that tying the surrender of weapons to reconstruction and governance changes could increase the chances of compliance, though major obstacles remain.
Still, significant uncertainty surrounds whether Hamas will accept the proposal. The group has consistently framed its weapons as essential to its survival and resistance strategy, making any agreement to dismantle its arsenal a deeply contentious issue.
The plan also underscores the growing role of regional and international mediators attempting to broker a durable ceasefire after months of conflict. As The Times of Israel reported, these efforts are increasingly focused not just on halting immediate fighting, but on reshaping the long-term security structure in Gaza.
Whether the phased disarmament approach can succeed where previous efforts have failed remains unclear, but the proposal highlights a renewed push to address one of the core drivers of the conflict: the continued militarization of Hamas.
