Israel and Hamas Near Agreement on Gaza Withdrawal and Weapons Storage

After months of stalled negotiations, Israel and Hamas are reportedly close to signing an agreement on the second phase of Gaza arrangements. Palestinian sources reported that the two sides have agreed on a detailed 15-point roadmap linking the regulation of military equipment held by Gaza’s militant factions with significant operational steps by Israel. The deal would require a full withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from Gaza territory and an end to targeted killings, alongside Israel completing all commitments from the first phase of the agreement.

Regarding the contentious issue of weapons, the agreement does not call for disarmament or handing over arms to Palestinian forces. Instead, it stipulates that heavy weapons held by the factions will be placed into storage. These understandings were reached after intensive consultations involving mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey with Hamas representatives. The information comes solely from Palestinian sources and has not yet been confirmed by Israel.

A Palestinian source told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that a broad consensus was reached on preserving Hamas’s weapons rather than removing or transferring them. The immediate implication of the deal would be another Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, leaving Hamas armed within the territory while Israel exits. An official announcement on the agreement is expected to be released soon.