Hamas terrorists. (Photo by Ali Hassan/Flash90)
Hamas announces it will not accept international stabilization force in Gaza, rules out disarming.
By World Israel News Staff
The Hamas terror organization has formally rejected key provisions of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, just hours before an American draft resolution securing an international mandate for the plan goes before the United Nations Security Council for a vote.
Overnight, Hamas issued a statement written after consultations with other Palestinian terror groups denouncing “key clauses in President Trump’s 20-point plan,” which the Palestinian factions deem unacceptable.
The basic elements of the Trump plan Hamas rejected include the requirement that Hamas disarm and that the Gaza Strip be demilitarized, as well as the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza to ensure compliance with the agreement.
“The American proposal is dangerous — it calls for the deployment of an international force in Gaza,” Hamas protested. “This is an attempt to impose international guardianship over the Strip. The proposal reflects a pro-Israel bias.”
“We reject any foreign military presence or international bases inside the Strip — this constitutes a violation of sovereignty.”
While Hamas leaders have in the past wavered on American demands the group disarm, this marks the first time the organization as a whole has explicitly stated that it will not comply.
The statement did leave some ambiguity, however, regarding the prospects for disarmament, suggesting an “internal Palestinian framework” could address the future of Hamas’ arsenal.
“We oppose the disarmament of Gaza. The Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves, and any discussion regarding weapons will take place within an internal Palestinian framework tied to ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state.”
Hamas also objected to plans for the formation of a Board of Peace, chaired by the US, to oversee the transitional administration and reconstruction of Gaza prior to self-rule.
“The proposal paves the way for external control over Palestinian decision-making and denies Palestinians their right to manage their own affairs,” Hamas argued.
“The proposal transfers responsibility for the reconstruction of the Strip to a powerful international body. Humanitarian aid may become a tool of coercion that will push out UNRWA and Palestinian institutions.”
The statement was released ahead of a planned vote at the United Nations Security Council on a draft resolution submitted by the US granting a mandate for an international stabilization force to police the Gaza Strip.
The proposed resolution, which includes as an annex the entire 20-point Gaza plan, is considered a necessary step for securing support from American allies who have expressed interest in contributing to the ISF.
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