Peace Council Agrees to Cover Up to $400 Million of Hamas Debts in New Deal

A secret clause in the 15-point agreement between the Peace Council, mediators, and Hamas includes a commitment to address up to $400 million in Hamas debts, according to Kan News. This provision, outlined vaguely in section 5 of the document, states that payments will be made to suppliers and contractors. A Peace Council source confirmed the commitment, clarifying that the funds are intended for public employees who have not been paid and for suppliers and contractors who provided services to the population and are still owed money. However, the Council emphasized that this does not represent a blanket debt coverage; each payment claim will be reviewed individually. The agreement explicitly excludes financing Hamas corruption, financial mismanagement related to its Gaza governance, or any activities linked to terrorism and repression.

In parallel, the Peace Council is developing another plan offering incentives to those who surrender their weapons in Gaza and commit to abandoning terrorism. This "buyback" policy, still in formation, proposes payments of thousands of dollars to individuals who disarm and agree to future oversight, along with inclusion in a rehabilitation program. The issue of weapon possession is also addressed in the 20-point plan by U.S. President Donald Trump and the 15-point agreement with Hamas, both referencing Palestinian law that requires licenses for all weapons, including handguns. The new program mainly targets the collection of Kalashnikov rifles.

The Peace Council expects international financial support for the weapons collection initiative, particularly from Gulf states. This approach aims to reduce armed violence and promote stability in Gaza through financial and regulatory measures.