US reportedly drops Hamas disarmament demand in Gaza ceasefire talks

The Trump administration has reportedly dropped its longstanding demand for Hamas to disarm as a precondition for a Gaza ceasefire, signalling a significant shift in US policy amid ongoing negotiations mediated by Egypt.

According to a report by The New Arab's Arabic language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, US negotiators conveyed to Egyptian intermediaries that the issue of Hamas's disarmament could be addressed at a later stage, rather than being an immediate requirement for a ceasefire agreement. 

An Egyptian source familiar with the talks told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that American officials have shown openness to postponing the strict enforcement of disarmament and the surrender of Palestinian weapons in Gaza, particularly those of Hamas, until after the implementation of any ceasefire agreement.

The source added that US officials also recognised the impracticality of forcibly exiling leaders and fighters from the armed wings of Hamas and other groups due to concerns from potential host countries and the large number of individuals Israel seeks to remove - estimated between 3,000 and 5,000.

In exchange, the US is reportedly insisting on the immediate release of all 21 living Israeli captives and the return of bodies held by Hamas in a single batch. This stance comes amid growing scepticism within the Trump administration about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy of using military pressure to secure the captives' release.

Intelligence reports indicate that three captives were killed following the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza on 18 March, and the life of Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander is now at risk after he was injured during an Israeli airstrike on his location.

Israel has said that it will move ahead with a large-scale military operation in Gaza, known as Operation Gideon's Chariots, if no progress is made before US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East.

The reported shift in US policy has been met with cautious optimism among mediators in avoiding this major escalation. 

The Egyptian source noted that there is a sense of optimism about the possibility of reaching a comprehensive solution in the near future, particularly in light of Hamas's willingness to release all Israeli captives in Gaza in one batch. There is also hope for formulating an acceptable framework to regulate resistance weapons and the movement of fighters after an agreement is reached.

This development marks a significant departure from previous US positions, which had consistently demanded Hamas's disarmament as a prerequisite for any ceasefire. By deferring this issue, Washington appears to be prioritising the immediate cessation of hostilities and the release of captives over long-term security arrangements.