Gaza War and Hamas

U.S.-backed mediators working for President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace have delivered a formal proposal in Cairo calling for Hamas and all other militant groups in Gaza to hand over their weapons to an emerging governing authority, NPR reports. The framework envisions a 'complete handover' and 'full decommissioning' of arms in exchange for large-scale reconstruction of Gaza, with Hamas asked to respond after the Muslim Eid holiday. Hamas officials have not publicly commented and one denied receiving the proposal, even as the group’s influence in Gaza has been growing while a planned multinational stabilization force and new Palestinian police remain stalled outside the territory. The demilitarization push is part of an October Trump-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, but implementation has been largely frozen since the U.S. and Israel launched a separate war against Iran on Feb. 28, diverting attention and resources. Former U.S. diplomat Robert Danin argues Hamas believes time is on its side as long as alternative governance structures remain delayed, highlighting the limited leverage Washington’s Board of Peace may have to force disarmament.