Hamas has rejected the disarmament plan proposed by a leading figure in President Donald Trump's Gaza peace initiatives, according to a senior Palestinian official who spoke to the BBC. The official accused Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza on the U.S.-led Board of Peace, of bias in favor of Israel. Mladenov had previously outlined a framework for Gaza's demilitarization as part of the second phase of the ceasefire deal reached between Hamas and Israel in October.
The official stated that Hamas has communicated to regional mediators that discussions on the second phase will not take place until Israel has fully implemented the terms of the first phase. Israel has maintained that it will not proceed without progress on the disarmament issue.
A Hamas delegation was scheduled to meet Egypt's intelligence chief in Cairo prior to leaving the city. The previous phase of Trump's peace plan had successfully halted hostilities, ensured the return of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and resulted in a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Since mid-January, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had announced the commencement of the second phase of the peace plan, aimed at establishing a permanent end to the conflict following Gaza's demilitarization and full withdrawal of Israeli forces. However, negotiations have been stalled due to disagreements between Hamas and Israel.
In a previous report, Mladenov linked the disarmament of Palestinian armed groups to reconstruction efforts in Gaza, following the devastation wrought by Israeli military actions since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023. The Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 72,330 deaths have occurred due to Israeli operations in Gaza, including 757 after a ceasefire was declared on October 10, 2025.
A senior Hamas official reiterated the group's stance, stating, We are waiting for Mladenov to provide a clear timetable for Israel to fulfill the remaining obligations of phase one, alongside guarantees to halt Israeli violations, before any discussion of phase two begins. The official asserted that the issue of arms is intertwined with obtaining a comprehensive solution that guarantees the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Hamas is demanding a complete Israeli military withdrawal and the deployment of international forces to assist local police in maintaining civilian safety. Additional requirements from the first phase, which remain unfulfilled, include the reopening of border crossings, the entry of humanitarian aid, the restoration of electricity, and the rehabilitation of infrastructure.
Analysts warn that without a resolution, underlying tensions are likely to persist, casting doubt on the feasibility of sustainable peace in the region.
