Palestine al-Yawm television reported that Hamas agreed to lay down its arms to move to the second phase of the ceasefire talks in Gaza. According to the report, Hamas and mediators reached an agreement on the second phase, and the announcement is expected today.
The agreed-upon 15-point roadmap includes keeping Hamas's heavy weapons under supervision in warehouses, the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, halting targeted assassinations and attacks, and implementing the commitments made in the first phase.
Palestinian sources speaking to Haaretz newspaper also said that Hamas agreed in principle to lay down arms on the condition that the weapons are not handed over to Israel. According to the sources, Hamas officials who met with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo gave preliminary approval for the transfer of heavy and light weapons, ammunition depots, and production facilities to a Palestinian committee to be determined by mutual agreement.
Israel views claims with skepticism
The Israeli side, however, approached the claims with caution. A senior Israeli security official speaking to Channel 12 television said, "We are completely skeptical of Hamas's intention to disarm. All of this is nothing but window dressing and propaganda." It is not yet known how Israel will respond to this proposal.
Phases of the ceasefire process
The ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect on October 10, 2025. In the first phase, steps such as prisoner exchange, increased humanitarian aid entry, and partial withdrawal of the Israeli army from some areas were implemented. Palestinian sources state that Israel has not fully met its obligations under the agreement and that attacks continue.
The second phase of the agreement envisages addressing the governance of Gaza, reconstruction, deployment of an international force, Israel's withdrawal, and certain political-security arrangements. Representatives of Palestinian groups and guarantor countries began contacts regarding the second phase in Cairo on June 7.
