DaysofPal- Palestinian political groups, community leaders, and public figures have voiced strong opposition to a proposal presented by international envoy Nikolay Mladenov, which calls for the disarmament of armed factions in Gaza as part of a broader framework to end the war, launch reconstruction, and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
Details of the Proposal
According to details reported by Al Jazeera, the plan is structured in five phases. Each stage includes parallel steps by Israeli and Palestinian sides, placing the disarmament of resistance groups within a wider political and security arrangement.
The proposal links reconstruction efforts and the entry of an administrative committee into Gaza to measurable progress on disarmament. In return, Israel would carry out a partial withdrawal from certain areas of the territory.
Implementation would unfold over several months through multiple tracks. It would begin with a comprehensive halt to military operations, accompanied by urgent humanitarian measures from Israel and the transfer of administrative responsibilities in Gaza to a national committee authorized by Hamas.
The document outlines a strict monitoring mechanism. Advancement from one phase to the next would depend on full verification of commitments by all parties. Observers view the initiative as an attempt to reshape the political and security landscape in Gaza by dismantling the military capabilities of factions in exchange for humanitarian and administrative measures that lack firm guarantees.
Firm Rejection from Palestinian Groups
Palestinian factions, political figures, and tribal leaders have issued clear statements rejecting any move to surrender weapons before achieving national rights. They argue that the proposal imposes unbalanced conditions that place the burden of ending the conflict solely on Palestinians.
Opponents stress that weapons are not merely military tools but represent a form of legitimate self-defense under ongoing Israeli occupation. They maintain that discussing disarmament before the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state and the end of occupation constitutes external pressure without meaningful guarantees.
Ismail Al-Sindawi, a leader in Islamic Jihad, said the plan should first focus on solidifying a ceasefire, lifting the blockade, and addressing urgent humanitarian and reconstruction needs before raising the issue of weapons. He described armed resistance as a natural response to occupation and a legitimate right for the Palestinian people.
Omar Murad of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine stated that calls to disarm resistance groups without ending the occupation would leave Palestinians vulnerable. He emphasized that resistance serves to protect the population and defend their rights.
Qais Abdel Karim of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine argued that the proposal does not align with previously discussed international frameworks or relevant UN resolutions. He warned against attempts to reshape the plan in ways that serve Israeli demands and called for a unified Palestinian stance.
Tribal leaders have also taken a firm position. Salem Al-Soufi, head of a coalition of Bedouin tribes, described weapons as essential for a people facing prolonged conflict. He said disarmament would not be accepted before the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He also questioned the absence of effective international protection for Palestinians over decades, raising concerns about calls for disarmament without guarantees.
The proposal continues to generate debate, with widespread skepticism among Palestinians who see it as shifting core political and security responsibilities onto their side without addressing the root causes of the conflict.
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