Hamas leader rejects disarmament, proposes international force for Gaza

Senior Hamas official Khaled Meshaal has firmly rejected calls for the group to disarm, stating such a demand is "unacceptable" to the Palestinian people. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Meshaal outlined potential arrangements for lasting calm in Gaza that would allow Hamas to retain its weapons but not display or use them, provided Israel is prevented from restarting the war.

Proposed Framework for Calm

Meshaal stated Hamas is open to a long-term truce and has "no problem" with the deployment of an international stabilization force along Gaza's border, similar to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). "We want guarantees that the Israeli occupation's war on Gaza will not return," he said, suggesting countries like Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye could act as guarantors. This follows a recent UN Security Council resolution authorizing a temporary international force for Gaza through 2027.

Rationale and Rejection of Disarmament

The Hamas leader argued that disarming Palestinians would leave them vulnerable. "Disarming the Palestinians means removing their soul," Meshaal said, referencing historical massacres. He asserted that the core problem is Israeli escalation, not Palestinian arms. He emphasized that Gaza's immediate focus should be recovery and rebuilding after enduring a war that has killed tens of thousands and leveled the enclave.

Context of Ceasefire and Stalled Talks

The statements come as discussions about a second phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement face obstacles. The initial phase involved hostage and prisoner exchanges. Israel conditions further talks on the return of all captive remains, a point of contention with Hamas. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump this month to discuss the stalled process.