Hamas has rejected the disarmament plan of a top figure in President Donald Trump's Gaza peace efforts, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations has told the BBC.
The official accused Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza on the US-led Board of Peace, of bias towards Israel. Last month, Mladenov outlined a framework for Gaza's demilitarisation as part of the second phase of the ceasefire deal agreed by Hamas and Israel in October.
Hamas has communicated to regional mediators that it will not engage in talks on the second phase until Israel fully implements the terms of the first phase.
Israel has insisted that it will not progress without addressing Hamas's disarmament. A Hamas delegation was scheduled to meet Egypt's intelligence chief amidst these discussions.
The first phase of Trump's peace plan included halting the war, securing the return of Israeli hostages, and partial Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
Despite recent endeavors to commence phase two, a deadlock persists between Israel and Hamas. This second stage is aimed at establishing a permanent ceasefire, contingent upon Gaza's disarmament.
Mladenov's recent proposals have sparked further contention, as Hamas contends that providing a clear timetable for Israeli obligation fulfillments is essential before discussing phase two's conditions.
With ongoing Israeli military actions causing significant casualties in Gaza, Palestinian factions have mandated that discussions will not advance until Israeli violations cease.
The ramifications of this rejection pose significant challenges in achieving a sustainable resolution, as stakeholders weigh the options between continued conflict or potential peace.
