Hamas says disarmament contingent on Israeli withdrawal and ceasefire

Hamas has said that any agreement on the group's disarmament depends on Israel fully implementing the terms of a broader deal, including a complete military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and an end to Israeli attacks.

In a statement published on its official Telegram channel, the Palestinian group said the issue of its heavy weapons was linked to "a complete cessation of all forms of aggression, the withdrawal of troops from the Gaza Strip, and the swiftest possible reconstruction," Caliber.Az reports. 

Hamas also said the agreement should include the establishment of an administrative committee, the deployment of international forces, and guarantees for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The movement added that implementation of the second phase of any agreement would depend on Israel fulfilling all the provisions of the first phase.

The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump said an agreement had been reached that provides for the complete disarmament of Hamas forces.

By Sabina Mammadli