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Hamas rejects US-led disarmament plan, demands changes to proposal

From Jerusalem Post · (20h ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Hamas has rejected a US-led disarmament plan proposed by the Board of Peace, demanding changes and accusing the mediator of pro-Israel bias.
  • A senior Palestinian official familiar with the talks accused mediator Nickolay Mladenov of bias and stated Hamas would not proceed with Phase II negotiations until Israel fulfills its Phase I obligations.
  • Israel maintains it has withdrawn from populated areas and increased aid, but insists on progress on Hamas's disarmament before making further concessions, despite Hamas repeatedly stating it will not disarm.

The Jerusalem Post reports on Hamas's rejection of the US-led Board of Peace's disarmament plan, a critical sticking point in ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Hamas's refusal, coupled with accusations of mediator bias, underscores the deep mistrust and complex demands from both sides. The article highlights Hamas's consistent stance against disarming, a core component of the ceasefire agreement. From a Palestinian perspective, particularly within Gaza, the emphasis is often on reconstruction and the fulfillment of initial ceasefire terms before considering disarmament. The accusations of pro-Israel bias against mediator Nickolay Mladenov reflect a common sentiment among Palestinian factions, who often view international mediation efforts through the lens of perceived Israeli influence. Israel, on the other hand, views Hamas's disarmament as a prerequisite for further progress, citing its own withdrawals and increased aid as good-faith measures. This impasse, reported by The Jerusalem Post, illustrates the significant challenges in achieving lasting peace, with each side prioritizing its own security and political objectives.

Hamas rejected the US-led Board of Peace's disarmament plan for the terror group, and asked Nickolay Mladenov to change the plan, a source told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

โ€” SourceConfirming Hamas's rejection of the disarmament plan.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.