Key facts
- Hamas has agreed to a phased disarmament roadmap as part of a peace deal.
- Disarmament is conditioned on Israel implementing its part of the deal, including withdrawal from Gaza.
- A Hamas official stated the group will remain an integral part of the Palestinian national fabric.
- The deal includes the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
- The agreement aims for a permanent end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Hamas has agreed to a phased disarmament roadmap that is conditioned on Israel implementing its part of the deal, including withdrawal from Gaza. A Hamas official, Ghazi Hamad, told Al Jazeera that the group will "remain an integral part of the Palestinian national fabric" and that their agreement to disarm was made "under exceptional, difficult and harsh circumstances." Hamad added that Hamas will "continue to shoulder its national responsibilities and duties in pursuit of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people." The agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, is structured in three phases. The first 42-day phase includes the release of 33 Israeli captives in exchange for over 1,600 Palestinian prisoners. The second phase aims for a permanent end to the war, the return of remaining captives and prisoners, and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the Philadelphi Corridor. The third phase involves Gaza's reconstruction and the repatriation of the remains of Israeli captives. Experts suggest that despite objections from the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA), Hamas must be included in reconstruction plans for Gaza. The PA, which administers parts of the West Bank, has rejected a proposal to appoint a committee of technocrats to administer Gaza, preferring Hamas hand over administration to them. Analysts note that Hamas's future capacity, whether as an armed movement, integrated into a new Palestinian framework, or transformed into a political party, remains uncertain.