Qatar asks Hamas officials abroad to disarm in symbolic gesture to push ceasefire deal

The request reportedly came from Qatari mediators and is seen as a symbolic concession toward Israel’s longstanding demand for Hamas to disarm.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Several high-ranking Hamas officials living abroad have been asked to give up their personal firearms, as part of efforts to advance a ceasefire deal in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages, The Times of London reported. The request reportedly came from Qatari mediators and is seen as a symbolic concession toward Israel’s longstanding demand for Hamas to disarm.

Among those asked to relinquish their weapons are senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, West Bank leader Zaher Jabarin, and Muhammad Ismail Darwish, the head of Hamas’s Shura Council. While this step is not expected to lead to full disarmament, it reflects a willingness to cooperate in the ongoing negotiations, which Qatar and Egypt are brokering with U.S. support.

Hamas confirmed it is reviewing a new ceasefire proposal. “We are engaged in discussions aimed at reaching an agreement that will put an end to the aggression, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the group said.

The Trump administration put forward the current hostage proposal under review and has been approved by Israel.

The agreement would call for a 60-day pause in fighting, coinciding with the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased captives in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners. The releases will occur in five phases throughout the period.

Even as Israel has agreed to the proposal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed the determination to ensure that Hamas will no longer hold sway in Gaza as a political or military force.

During a visit to a military base in southern Israel, Netanyahu said of Hamas, “We will destroy them completely. We will free all the hostages – with the destruction of Hamas, these are not contradictory objectives.”

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’aar said, “We are serious in our intention to reach an agreement on the hostages and the ceasefire. We have said yes to the proposals of the American envoy Steve Witkoff. There are positive signs, but it is too early to say more.”