Hamas disarmament demand faces militia rebellion in Gaza

Hamas is pushing international mediators to advance the second phase of a ceasefire agreement, but armed militia leaders operating in Gaza have told local media they believe the organisation will never comply with demands to surrender weapons. Several militia commanders warned that any attempt by Hamas to hand over arms could trigger a popular uprising against the group’s leadership. One senior figure from the Abu Shbak militia suggested that Gazans themselves would move against Hamas if it surrendered its weapons, stating: “The people will kill them.” The threat underscores deep fractures within the Palestinian militant landscape in Gaza, where numerous armed groups operate alongside Hamas’s military wing. These factions have built significant power bases during years of conflict and have little incentive to relinquish their arsenals. The militia leaders’ comments suggest that any international agreement requiring Gaza’s militant groups to disarm could face substantial internal resistance, complicating ceasefire negotiations. According to the Abu Shbak commander, Israel should prepare for renewed confrontation rather than expect Hamas to honour disarmament clauses. He argued that if Hamas leadership pursued a political settlement without continuing military resistance, it would amount to capitulating to Israel—a position likely to appeal to hardliners within Gaza’s fractious militant community.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.