Media: U.S. Officials Say Hamas May "Soon" Sign Disarmament Agreement

On July 30, Xinhua News Agency reported from Jerusalem (reporters Pang Xinyi and Feng Guorui) that Israel's Channel 12 television cited U.S. sources saying that the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) may "soon" sign an agreement for gradual disarmament.

The report stated that this disarmament "roadmap" was proposed by the so-called "Peace Committee" initiated by the United States, requiring Hamas to surrender all weapons within 6 to 8 months. The Palestinian technocratic government will gradually take over parts of the Gaza Strip and verify whether there are still weapons in these areas. According to the plan, Hamas will also hand over maps of its tunnels, weapons factories, and warehouses, and the surrendered weapons will be kept by the new technocratic government and international stabilization forces.

The report indicated that under the agreement, Hamas members will receive "amnesty" and can continue to stay in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces will withdraw to the "Green Line" after the agreement is signed, which is the withdrawal line established by the Israeli military according to the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, while ceasing "targeted eliminations" of Hamas leaders. However, the Israeli military can still take action against "imminent threats." The report stated that the Israeli military will only further withdraw after Hamas surrenders all weapons.

However, Channel 12 also cited officials involved in the negotiations as saying that disarmament of Hamas "is possible," but "there is still a long way to go from discussion to formal announcement."