Reuters: Hamas signals security role in Gaza, stops short of disarmament

Hamas intends to retain security control in Gaza during an interim period, though it has not committed to disarming, a senior Hamas official told Reuters, highlighting significant obstacles to U.S.-led efforts to secure a lasting end to the war.

Mohammed Nazzal, a member of Hamas’ politburo, said the group was prepared to agree to a ceasefire of up to five years to allow Gaza to rebuild, but that guarantees for what happens afterwards would depend on Palestinians being offered “horizons and hope” for statehood.

Speaking from Doha, where many Hamas officials are based, Nazzal defended the group’s crackdown in Gaza, including public executions on Monday. He described the measures as “exceptional” during wartime, stressing that those executed were convicted of killing.

While Hamas has previously expressed similar positions, the timing of Nazzal’s comments underscores the major hurdles facing negotiations to fully end the conflict, coming just days after the first phase of a ceasefire was agreed. The remarks reveal key gaps between Hamas’ stance and U.S. plans, which aim to address the group’s weapons and governance of Gaza.

In response, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office reiterated that it remains committed to the ceasefire and the 20-point plan agreed with Hamas. “Hamas is supposed to release all hostages in stage one. It has not. They are supposed to be disarmed. No ifs, no buts. They need to adhere to the plan. Time is running out,” the statement said.

President Donald Trump’s September 29 ceasefire plan called for Hamas to return all hostages before disarming and transferring governance to a technocratic committee overseen by an international transitional body. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the plan, stating it would dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities, end its political rule, and ensure that Gaza no longer threatens Israel.

The October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel killed 1,200 people and abducted 251, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s military response has killed nearly 68,000 people in Gaza, according to local authorities. Under intense pressure, Hamas faces calls to surrender arms and authority over Gaza or risk renewed conflict.

On October 15, Nazzal told Reuters he could not commit to disarming, explaining: “I can’t answer with a yes or no. Frankly, it depends on the nature of the project. To whom will the weapons be handed over?” He added that weapons discussions would involve other Palestinian armed groups and require a broader Palestinian consensus.

The White House referred Reuters to Trump’s comments on October 16, in which the U.S. president said, “We have a commitment from them and I assume they’re going to honour it,” without elaborating on disarmament or Hamas’ temporary security role in Gaza.

Nazzal also said Hamas does not intend to retain the remaining bodies of deceased hostages from the October 7 attacks. The group has handed over nine of 28 bodies, citing technical difficulties in recovering the rest. He noted that international partners such as Türkiye and the U.S. could assist. A senior Turkish official confirmed last week that Türkiye would join a joint task force with Israel, the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt to locate the bodies.

Hamas agreed on October 4 to release hostages and hand governance to a technocratic committee, though broader Palestinian issues remain under discussion. The group released all living hostages on Monday, and Nazzal said phase two of negotiations would begin soon.

Trump indicated on Tuesday that Hamas must disarm or face coercion, while also suggesting Hamas could maintain temporary security control in Gaza, particularly to protect aid convoys from gangs. Nazzal confirmed that Hamas would remain on the ground during this transitional phase, though civil administration would be technocratic. Elections would follow the transitional period.

The group has not discussed an international stabilisation force for Gaza, as outlined in Trump’s ceasefire plan. Nazzal reiterated that Hamas has proposed a long-term truce of at least three to five years with the U.S., focused on rebuilding Gaza rather than preparing for future war. Guarantees for the post-truce period, he said, would require international support for a viable Palestinian state.

“The Palestinian people want an independent Palestinian state,” Nazzal added, emphasising that the group seeks both security for Gaza and long-term political solutions.

By Tamilla Hasanova