Hamas Proposes Arms Monitoring in Cairo Ceasefire Talks

A delegation from Hamas arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to negotiate the second phase of a ceasefire agreement with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye. The talks focus on implementing a 20-point peace plan authored by U.S. President Donald Trump, which requires a full Israeli military withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and the start of reconstruction efforts.

To advance the deal, Hamas presented revised proposals regarding its weaponry and government payrolls. The group now accepts the term infrastructure to describe its weapons and proposes placing them under the monitoring of mediators, the Board of Peace, and a Gaza administration committee. Additionally, Hamas agreed to remove Qassam Brigades members from state payrolls, with those at the rank of platoon leader or higher to be paid directly by the armed wing.

These diplomatic efforts follow the Israel Security Cabinet's approval to deploy an international stabilization force, managed by the Board of Peace, beginning in Rafah. However, the path to a final agreement remains contested. While Hamas has offered concessions to prevent Israel from blocking the deal, sources indicate that upcoming Israeli elections may lead the government to reject the proposals. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces continue to conduct strikes against Hamas commanders in Gaza despite the ceasefire that has been in effect since October 2025.