Hamas has rejected the disarmament plan of a top figure in President Donald Trump's Gaza peace efforts, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations has told the BBC.
Hamas accused Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, of bias towards Israel. Last month, Mladenov outlined a framework for Gaza's demilitarisation as part of the second phase of the ceasefire deal agreed by Hamas and Israel in October.
The official stated that Hamas informed regional mediators it would not engage in discussions on the second phase unless Israel fully implemented the terms of the initial phase.
Israel, on its part, has indicated that it will not proceed without significant action from Hamas regarding disarmament.
Meanwhile, a Hamas delegation was scheduled to meet with Egypt's intelligence chief in Cairo ahead of further talks.
The first phase of Trump's peace initiative successfully halted hostilities and secured the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, alongside a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
In mid-January, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the commencement of phase two of the peace plan; however, progress between Israel and Hamas has stagnated. The second phase aims for a permanent end to hostilities through Gaza's demilitarisation and complete Israeli withdrawal.
Last month, Mladenov provided a detailed plan urging Palestinian armed groups in Gaza to decommission their weapons, tying this compliance to the start of reconstruction efforts following destructive military campaigns by Israel.
This escalation in negotiations was necessitated by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and saw 251 others taken hostage. Since the ceasefire came into effect on October 10, 2025, over 72,330 people have reportedly died due to subsequent Israeli military actions in Gaza, including 757 fatalities since that ceasefire.
A senior Hamas official conveyed to the BBC: We are waiting for Mladenov to provide a clear timetable for Israel to fulfil the remaining obligations of phase one, along with guarantees to halt Israeli violations, before any discussion of phase two begins. He added that Palestinian factions perceived the disarmament issue as interconnected with a broader commitment to guaranteeing the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.
According to the official, Hamas and other factions prefaced their engagement in future negotiations on the need for a complete cessation of Israeli actions against them, along with a full execution of prior commitments. They are calling for a total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, accompanied by the deployment of international protection forces to assist local policing and protect civilians.
This sets the stage for negotiations that hinge on sensitive political and military considerations, with both sides retaining firm stances on their respective demands. Mladenov, as quoted in the UN Security Council, has emphasized that disarming militant groups could decisively alter Gaza's cycle of violence, vital for local reconstruction and a collective future following decades of strife.
