Hamas Leaders in Qatar Ordered to Surrender Weapons as Hostage Negotiations Intensify

Senior Hamas officials based in Qatar have been ordered to surrender their personal weapons and those of their security details, according to a report in The Times of London. The directive comes as American mediators work to finalize a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to Ynet.

The weapons collection reportedly affects key Hamas figures including Khalil al-Hayya, who heads the organization's negotiating team; Zaher Jabarin, Hamas's financial chief who oversees Samarian operations; and Muhammad Ismail Darwish, known as Abu Omar Hassan, who leads Hamas's Shura Council and manages political delegations to Turkey and Iran.

Sources familiar with the negotiations say that al-Hayya's approach to the talks has shifted markedly in recent weeks. The negotiator, who previously insisted on comprehensive agreements, has now expressed willingness to consider partial deals - a significant departure from Hamas's longstanding position.

According to diplomatic sources, al-Hayya's change in stance coincides with increased personal security concerns following public statements by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz suggesting the Hamas official could be targeted for elimination.

Current Proposal Details

While Israel has reportedly accepted the latest American proposal, Hamas continues internal deliberations and has not yet provided an official response. Hamas is expected to deliver its answer to mediators within the next 24 hours.

According to sources cited by The New York Times, the current framework would involve the release of 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 deceased hostages over a 60-day ceasefire period. This would represent approximately half of the living hostages currently held in Gaza.

The proposed timeline differs significantly from previous iterations. Under the current plan, eight living hostages would be released on the first day of the ceasefire, with two additional living hostages freed on day 50. The remains of deceased hostages would be returned in three separate phases throughout the 60-day period.

The framework also stipulates that Hamas would forgo the public "release ceremonies" that characterized previous hostage exchanges, which drew international criticism and Israeli condemnation.

Diplomatic Pressure and Guarantees

A diplomat involved in the negotiations told the Associated Press that "there is a great opportunity to reach an agreement," citing indications of increased willingness from both sides. The diplomat noted that pressure from President Trump, who has urged Israel to conclude the Gaza campaign, has provided Hamas with additional confidence in the process.

Sources close to Hamas told the Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq that the terror group is "satisfied" with American guarantees included in the latest proposal. The nature of these guarantees, particularly regarding the war's conclusion, has been a central sticking point in previous negotiations.

However, Israeli sources emphasize that while the United States and other mediators have provided assurances about future negotiations regarding the war's end, Israel itself has not committed to ending the conflict as part of the immediate hostage deal.

Post-War Governance

One significant development involves arrangements for Gaza's future governance. According to an Egyptian source, Israel has insisted that Hamas cannot continue governing the territory, with control instead transitioning to Palestinians "without political affiliation."

The specifics of this arrangement remain unclear, as do the exact terms of the American guarantees that appear to have influenced Hamas's negotiating position.

Humanitarian Provisions

The proposal includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, though specifics regarding the number of supply trucks or types of goods remain undisclosed. The agreement would also involve the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli facilities, though the exact numbers have not been finalized.

As negotiations continue, both Israeli and international officials express cautious optimism that this round of talks may succeed where previous attempts have failed. The combination of external pressure, personal security concerns among Hamas leadership, and refined diplomatic guarantees appears to have created conditions more conducive to reaching an agreement than in previous negotiating rounds.