Jerusalem, December 10, 2025: Khaled Meshaal, head of Hamas abroad, has assured that the group will take steps to prevent future attacks on Israel from Gaza, while stressing that surrendering its weapons would be equivalent to “removing the soul” of the organisation.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic’s Mawazin, Meshaal outlined Hamas’ stance amid concerns that momentum in ceasefire talks could fade as the first phase nears completion.
Hamas reported on Tuesday that the truce cannot progress if Israel continues violations, claiming the ceasefire, in effect since October 10, has been breached at least 738 times. Meshaal also rejected the idea of a non-Palestinian governing authority in Gaza, amid speculation over US President Donald Trump’s proposed “board of peace,” which has been suggested as a potential alternative to Hamas’ rule since 2006.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s candidacy to the board has reportedly been ruled out due to opposition from several Arab and Muslim states. Hamas had previously opposed Blair, with official Husam Badran calling him “an unwelcome figure” whose “criminal and destructive role” has long been known.
The US-brokered October ceasefire has largely held despite frequent Israeli violations. At least 377 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, and all but one of the captives taken to Gaza in the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023 have now been returned. Israel has also released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, though many returned bodies bore signs of torture and mutilation.
Hamas officials have criticised Israel for failing to fully implement the first phase, citing the unopened Rafah crossing, insufficient aid deliveries, and near-daily attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, stated that the first phase is nearly complete and aims to achieve similar results in the second stage, scheduled for discussions in Washington later this month.
Meshaal stressed that increasing aid into Gaza is essential before the second phase can begin, which would mark the formal end of the war and include a full Israeli withdrawal beyond the partial pullback to the “yellow line.”
Disarmament remains a key sticking point. While Israel demands Hamas relinquish its weapons, Meshaal emphasised that doing so would be akin to removing the group’s “soul.” Hamas officials have indicated willingness to disarm only under a fully recognised Palestinian state.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, at the Doha Forum, urged patience, noting disarmament would not occur in the “first stage” and must follow a realistic and orderly approach. Israel opposes Turkish troop deployment in Gaza, insisting disarmament be the priority in the second phase.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also called for the deployment of an international stabilisation force to monitor the ceasefire, citing ongoing Israeli violations and the need for verification along the yellow line.
The Hamas leadership continues to push for aid, recovery, and a structured approach to the next phase of the ceasefire, while firmly rejecting external governance or premature disarmament in Gaza.
