Hamas warns Gaza deal unraveling as Israel pushes disarmament first
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem
The Palestine Chronicle reports on 22 April 2026:
Key Developments
- Hamas rejects the disarmament-first approach, calling it a violation of the ceasefire framework
- Israel accused of failing to implement first-phase obligations, including aid and withdrawal
- Cairo talks continue as mediators push to revive stalled second-phase negotiations.
Disarmament Preconditions
The Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas has rejected Israeli efforts to prioritize disarmament over the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, warning that such a condition contradicts the framework proposed by US President Donald Trump.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said that raising the issue of disarmament while bypassing the obligations of the first phase of the agreement “contradicts the spirit of the ceasefire and Trump’s vision.” His remarks followed a series of meetings in Cairo involving Hamas Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya, Egyptian officials, Nikolay Mladenov, and US senior advisor Aryeh Lightstone.
Dispute Over Ceasefire
Trump’s Gaza plan, announced in September 2025, outlined a phased agreement beginning with a full ceasefire, partial Israeli withdrawal, prisoner exchanges, and the entry of 600 aid trucks daily.
According to Hamas, while the movement complied with the first phase by releasing Israeli captives, Israel failed to meet its humanitarian and military commitments, continuing attacks that have killed at least 786 Palestinians and wounded over 2,200 since the agreement was reached.
The second phase of the plan includes a broader Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction efforts, and discussions over the disarmament of Palestinian resistance factions.