Hamas disarmament plan sees arms given up in stages, text shows

Hamas disarmament plan sees arms given up in stages, text shows Hamas would be required to allow the destruction of its alleged Gaza tunnel network as it lays down its arms in stages under a disarmament plan that was presented to the militants by US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, and viewed by Reuters. The plan follows an eight-month timeline that begins with a US-backed committee of Palestinian technocrats taking security control of Gaza and concludes with Israeli forces withdrawing completely upon verification that Gaza is free of weaponry. Hamas has long rejected calls to lay down its weapons, saying that it will give up arms to a Palestinian authority if occupation ends. Criminalising the resistance, its weapons and those who have led it is something we should not accept, Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal said in early February. As long as there is an occupation, there is resistance.