Hamas has signaled an unprecedented willingness to relinquish its military capabilities as part of a proposed agreement brokered by the Board of Peace, according to prominent Palestinian-American scholar and former mediator in the hostage deal talks, Dr. Bishara Bahbah, who says the group has already presented a detailed demilitarization proposal to the Trump administration.
In an interview, Bahbah described what he characterized as Hamas's most far-reaching proposal to date, including commitments to surrender its weapons, halt all military activity, end weapons smuggling, and abandon Gaza's extensive tunnel network in exchange for a long-term ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.
"I think the Palestinian side, including Hamas, is very serious about the proposal they have put together," Bahbah said.
According to Bahbah, Hamas submitted the proposal approximately three weeks ago, and he personally transferred it to officials at the White House.
The proposal envisions a 10-to15-year hudna, or ceasefire, under which Hamas would also give up all of its weapons, cease manufacturing weapons, end all weapons smuggling, refrain from demonstrating any military capabilities in Gaza, and abandon the use of tunnels across the Strip.
"The proposal talked about Hamas giving up its weapons. It would entail Hamas not developing any weapons, not smuggling any weapons, not demonstrating military capabilities in Gaza, and giving up the use of the tunnels," Bahbah said.
Israel responds cautiously to Hamas proposal
Despite expressing optimism regarding Hamas's intentions, Bahbah acknowledged that Israel has so far responded cautiously.
"My feeling is that the initial Israeli response has been negative," he said. "They don't think what Hamas is proposing is sufficient in terms of actually giving up its arms."
According to Bahbah, Israeli officials remain unconvinced that Hamas is prepared to irreversibly dismantle its military infrastructure before an International Stabilization Force is deployed and Israeli forces begin withdrawing from Gaza.
Bahbah said Hamas has come under significant pressure from other Palestinian factions, particularly allies of former Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan, to permanently abandon armed struggle in order to allow reconstruction to begin.
"They have been under tremendous pressure from the various Palestinian factions, particularly from Mohammed Dahlan's group, to really, once and for all, give up their weapons so Israel can begin withdrawing and reconstruction can begin," he said.
According to Bahbah, Hamas increasingly recognizes that its military strategy has become unsustainable after nearly three years of war.
"I think Hamas has come to the realization that if it wants to continue to be a political entity, it can no longer have weapons," he said.
"What kind of weapons do they still have that could be used against the Israelis? If they ever use those weapons again, Israel would immediately respond with devastating force."
"The utility of their arms has come to an end."
Security of Hamas leadership a high priority
Bahbah identified one issue that he believes remains central to any agreement but has received little public attention: security guarantees for Hamas members and leaders after disarmament.
"Hamas is concerned about the security of its elements and its leadership," he said.
While the group has avoided saying so publicly, Bahbah argued that internal discussions suggest the issue is one of Hamas's highest priorities.
"I believe that if the United States is able to guarantee that once Hamas gives up its weapons, there will be guarantees for the safety of Hamas members and its leadership, then that becomes a very important element of the agreement."
Bahbah believes that if Israel accepts verified disarmament and proceeds with the deployment of an International Stabilization Force, the conflict could effectively come to an end.
"The way I understand it is that Israel is not willing to withdraw from Gaza until Hamas gives up its arms," he said.
"If Israel respects the fact that Hamas is handing over its weapons, whether to an international force, NCAG, or the Egyptians, I believe that is the end of the war in Gaza. I sincerely hope that will be the case."