While Palestinian factions have offered to store heavy weapons, Gaza's chief envoy is pushing for the handover of underground networks and family-owned firearms.
In Cairo, ceasefire talks between Palestinian factions and mediators faced a serious test after Nickolay Mladenov, the chief envoy for the „Board of Peace,” demanded that „not a single bullet be left in Gaza.” The maximalist demands of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza monitoring group include the complete disarmament of Hamas, the handing over of maps of the tunnels it operates, and even the collection of weapons in private hands of Palestinians.
Sources involved in the Cairo talks say the Palestinian arms handover is the main obstacle to a full end to Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. Palestinian officials argue that the clause on complete disarmament means Mladenov is essentially a servant to Israel's maximalist demands.
The battle over Article 8
At the heart of the current standoff is „Article 8,” a key part of the October 2025 U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan. It sets out the precise terms of disengagement, the management of Gaza’s military infrastructure after the war, and the transfer of security responsibility to a unified Palestinian body.
A source familiar with the internal dynamics of the negotiations told Al Jazeera that Hamas initially showed „a high degree of positivity” regarding this article. They first agreed to „inventory and storage of heavy weapons,” which refers to the rockets, guided missiles and Kornet anti-tank missiles that the movement possesses.
A tale of two texts
A Hamas source compared the two different drafts:
-
Mladenov (High Representative)'s draft: A gradual, phased process for the „inventory/collection” of weapons, overseen by the High Commissioner and the International Stabilization Force (ISF). There would be no obligation for any armed group to hand over its weapons directly to Israel.
-
The plan of Hamas and the Palestinian factions: The gradual inventory and storage of heavy weapons can only take place in parallel with the phased withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza. The implementation is conditional on the conclusion of Phase 1 of the ceasefire and a political path that guarantees the right of self-determination and statehood of the Palestinian people.
„Infrastructure neutralization” and the „single bullet”
When Mladenov presented the revised Palestinian text to the Israelis, they rejected it and came up with a new demand: the elimination of the entire tunnel network operated by the Qassam Brigades and all facilities belonging to the armed group. When Hamas refused, Mladenov sided with the Israeli position.
„Mladenov stressed: Gaza will be completely weapon-free, down to the last bullet,” a Hamas official said. „No factions, no families, no militias, not even individual weapons.”
The June 12th draft and family arms
On June 12, the Palestinian factions unified Article 8, but Mladenov subsequently introduced further amendments, citing his 15-point peace plan. This now includes the handover of all personal weapons held by Palestinians. The plan would see all rifles and firearms handed over to a Palestinian National Committee for Administration (NCAG), which would manage them through a strict „purchase or license” system.
Factions strike back
Complete disarmament is rejected by Palestinian leaders, seeing it as undermining the peace process. Mohammad al-Braim, media director for the Popular Resistance Committees, said: „We will not raise the white flag and we will not yield to any threats or pressure.” He accused Netanyahu and Mladenov of trying to make the weapons issue „a gateway to total control,” stressing that disarmament can only be linked to a comprehensive political solution and a full Israeli withdrawal.
„"Netanyahu's employee"”
Mladenov's change of heart has drawn sharp criticism. According to political analyst Saeed Ziad, Mladenov is no longer acting as a mediator, but as an executor of the will of the Israelis. "He is an employee of Netanyahu, hoping for personal gain." Ziad warned that Mladenov's proposal reflects the vision of far-right Israeli settlers (such as Smotrich and Ben-Gvir), which aims to restore settlements in the Gaza Strip.
A Peace Council official rejected accusations of bias, saying the framework was the result of extensive consultation between the parties concerned and the mediators (Egypt, Qatar, Turkey) and aimed to bridge differences.
