Hamas has announced its readiness to cede control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA) as part of ongoing efforts to negotiate a long-term ceasefire with Israel. However, a key point of contention remains—Hamas has not yet agreed to disarm, a major condition for any lasting peace agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the possibility of either Hamas or the PA governing Gaza after the conflict ends. His administration maintains that any future governance structure must ensure Israel’s security and prevent a repeat of the militant buildup seen in past ceasefires. Analysts warn that allowing Hamas to retain any military strength could create a situation similar to Hezbollah’s dominance in Lebanon, where the group maintains significant armed capabilities despite being part of the political landscape.
Amid these developments, an Israeli delegation has arrived in Cairo to engage in further negotiations regarding the ceasefire and hostage release agreements. The delegation’s immediate focus is on securing the release of the six remaining Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the future of Gaza remains uncertain. Whether Hamas fully relinquishes control—and under what conditions—will shape the region’s stability in the months and years to come.
Sources: Bloomberg, TOI, JPost, SCMP, TML, Reuters.
