Donald Trump’s “Peace Board” presented Hamas with a written proposal on how it could lay down its armsaccording to two sources, a measure that Palestinian militants have so far refused to take, as the US president presses ahead with his plan for the future of Gaza.
The proposal, first reported by NPR, was presented to Hamas during meetings in Cairo last week, according to one of the sources. The talks were attended by Nickolay Mladenov and Aryeh Lightstone, according to the two sources familiar with the matter.
Mladenov is the Peace Board’s Gaza envoy appointed by Trump. Lightstone is an American adviser to Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Trump’s plan for Gaza, which Israel and Hamas gave their approval in October, calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the beginning of reconstruction as Hamas lays down its weapons.
Mladenov said on Thursday that serious efforts were being made to bring aid to war-torn Gaza, with a framework agreed upon by mediators that could boost reconstruction in the enclave, much of which lies in ruins.
“It is now on the table. It requires a clear choice: the total disarmament of Hamas and all armed groups, without exceptions or exclusions. In this time of hope, may those responsible make the right decision for the Palestinian people,” said Mladenov the X in a post on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
Hamas representatives were not immediately available for comment on Saturday, the second day of the holiday. Disarmament talks had been suspended at the start of the US-Israel war against Iran, which began on February 28.
Amnesty offer could be on the table
U.S. officials have said that Iran-backed Hamas could be offered amnesty in any deal in which it agrees to hand over all heavy weapons and light weapons, including rifles.
Sources close to Hamas say the group would likely refuse to hand over its rifles for fear of attacks by rival militias in Gaza, some of which are backed by Israel. Hamas and its rivals have carried out deadly attacks on each other since the October ceasefire.
One of the sources noted that much would depend on what Israel considers acceptable, since it demands the total disarmament of the group.
Some of Hamas’ top leaders have flatly rejected any disarmament in recent months.
Israel has shown no signs of withdrawing its troops, which control about half of Gaza territory.while Hamas maintains firm control over the other half of the enclave and its two million inhabitants, most of whom have been left homeless after two years of devastating war.
The source said that amnesty and targeted investments in Gaza were being offered to Hamas as incentives, but added that it was not clear whether the Peace Board would have the funds to pay for them.
Trump raised about $7 billion in financing commitments in February from countries, including some in the Gulfbefore those same countries were attacked by Iran in a spreading Middle East war.
The source noted that only a small portion of those promised funds had been delivered, without specifying the amounts.
