NYT: Hamas ready to hand over thousands of weapons in Gaza

Hamas is ready to hand over thousands of automatic rifles and other weapons used by its police and internal security units in Gaza, according to two officials from the group.

Such a move would mark a significant concession, as Hamas has so far publicly refused to surrender any of its arsenal, the New York Times reports.

The officials said the weapons could be transferred to a Palestinian administrative committee established to govern Gaza under the Board of Peace, an international body led by President Trump to oversee the cease-fire.

Hamas has previously indicated willingness to shift responsibility for public services in Gaza to the US-backed committee. However, it has not dissolved its armed battalions, signalling an intent to retain a degree of control in the territory despite opposition from Israel and the United States.

The proposal, as described by the two officials, falls short of full disarmament and demilitarisation of Gaza — key demands from Israel and a central element of Trump’s peace framework for the enclave. That plan also envisions removing Hamas from power and excluding it from any governing role.

When asked whether the committee would also be allowed to seize weapons held by Hamas’s military wing, the officials did not give a clear response.

By Jeyhun Aghazada