Hamas rejects disarmament talks before completion of 1st phase of ceasefire agreement

Displaced Palestinian children are pictured in a school-turned shelter in the center of Gaza City, April 5, 2026. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Hamas rejected on Sunday the discussion of disarmament before the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

"Raising the issue of arms in such a crude manner is nothing but a blatant attempt by the occupation to continue the killing and genocide against our people, which we will not accept under any circumstances," said Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in a televised statement.

Ubaida accused Israel of obstructing the agreement's humanitarian terms by continuing to target civilians, restricting entry of aid, and closing the Rafah crossing.

The Palestinian side has adhered to its commitments "with complete honesty and responsibility," he said, urging mediators to pressure Israel to fulfill its obligations in the first phase before moving on to discuss the second.

A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel has been in effect in the Gaza Strip since October 2025. Its first phase included an exchange of detainees and hostages, the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from some areas.

In January, the United States announced the start of the second phase of the ceasefire plan, which includes a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, the beginning of reconstruction, and the establishment of a transitional governing body.

Hamas held meetings in recent days in Cairo and Istanbul to discuss the transition to the second phase of the agreement.

A displaced Palestinian child is pictured in a school-turned shelter in the center of Gaza City, April 5, 2026. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A displaced Palestinian child is pictured in a school-turned shelter in the center of Gaza City, April 5, 2026. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A displaced Palestinian child is pictured in a school-turned shelter in the center of Gaza City, April 5, 2026. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A displaced Palestinian child is pictured in a school-turned shelter in the center of Gaza City, April 5, 2026. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)