Palestinian-American mediator: Hamas open to possibility of handing over only heavy weapons

Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who helped mediate with Hamas over the Gaza ceasefire, tells the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that Hamas has begun to accept the idea of handing over its heavy weapons as part of an agreement.

He adds that Washington has also begun to show willingness to accept the idea of Hamas surrendering only its heavy weapons, within the broader concept of disarming the group that appears in the White House plan for ending the Gaza war.

He emphasizes that he spoke with senior US officials who said there is a possibility Hamas would be allowed to retain light weapons “for self-defense.”

There is no additional confirmation of the report. Hamas has repeatedly made clear in the past that it will not disarm, except in the context of the establishment of a Palestinian state.