Arabic version: اقتراح خطة نزع سلاح جديدة لغزة من قبل مجلس السلام

Details of a plan submitted by Board of Peace Director General Nickolay Mladenov for the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian groups in Gaza have been seen by Al Jazeera. The plan would see disarmament – one of the components of the October ceasefire to end Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza – implemented gradually over an eight-month, multiphase process. According to Al Jazeera, the process involves disarmament in exchange for Israel fulfilling its own obligations, including allowing reconstruction materials into Gaza to begin the work of rebuilding the enclave after Israel’s devastation of the territory since October 2023.

The plan includes a step-by-step approach, where transitions between phases occur only when both sides fulfill their commitments. The initial phase requires a complete halt of military operations by both Israel and Hamas, along with the implementation of humanitarian protocols that Israel committed to under the ceasefire. Representatives from a Palestinian national committee will also be permitted to enter Gaza to oversee security and administrative responsibilities.

Subsequent phases will see the beginning of disarmament, with heavy weapons being removed from areas controlled by Israel and Hamas. Hamas is also expected to destroy its tunnel network before day 90 of the plan. Israel must allow the construction of temporary housing approved by the Palestinian national committee during this period.

If all obligations are met, Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from Gaza, and the reconstruction process would commence. However, skepticism remains regarding Israel’s willingness to adhere to the agreement and the feasibility of disarming groups that view their arms as essential for resistance. The plan envisions a unified governance structure under the Palestinian national committee, which would require Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza.