Hamas says not obligated to implement Trump Gaza deal unless Israel accepts it

Hamas leader Osama Hamdan stated that the group does not consider itself bound by any provisions of President Trump's Gaza peace deal unless Israel publicly accepts the framework and begins fulfilling its commitments, such as ceasing attacks and withdrawing from the territory. In an interview on an Iraqi podcast, Hamdan, who previously represented Hamas in Lebanon and Iran, emphasized that the Palestinians had not surrendered their weapons.

According to the deal, heavy weapons would be confined and managed by a Palestinian administrative committee overseeing Gaza, while remaining under Palestinian control. Under the agreement, no weapons would be handed over to non-Palestinian entities, and no fire would be directed beyond Gaza's borders. The comprehensive framework encompasses Israeli withdrawal, the lifting of the blockade, persistence of Palestinian governance and security services, and the dismantling and disarmament of collaborator networks.

Hamdan stated that discussions on collecting and storing heavy weapons would commence only if Israel agrees to the entire framework. He noted that reaching an agreement on the practical implementation process would require time, adding that "the ball is now in the occupation's court and with the mediators."