Disarming the Palestinian militant group Hamas is "out of the question," even though it is part of a plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a senior official from the movement said today.
"The proposed surrender of weapons is out of the question and is not subject to negotiations," he said, Beta reported.
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement on Thursday, October 9, which would end the war in the Gaza Strip that has been going on since October 2023.
The agreement is also being brokered by the United States (US), and was proposed by that country's President Donald Trump.
The agreement calls for the release of hostages in Gaza within 72 hours, in exchange for prisoners held by Israel, as well as the release of humanitarian aid into the Strip.
The second phase of the 20-point plan concerns the disarmament of Hamas, the expulsion of its fighters, and the continuation of the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza.
The Israeli Prison Service announced today that prisoners who are due to be released in exchange for the release of hostages held by the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip have been gathered.
"National security detainees have been transferred to deportation centers in Ofer (in the occupied West Bank) and Kciot (in the south of the country) prisons, awaiting instructions from political authorities and the continuation of operations that will enable the return of the hostages to Israel," the administration said, Beta reported.
Under the agreement, the 48 hostages and their remains remaining in the Gaza Strip must be returned to Israel by Monday morning.
In return, Israel must release 250 prisoners, most of whom were convicted of anti-Israel attacks, as well as 1.700 Palestinians arrested by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war in October 2023.
The Gaza Strip Civil Defense first aid organization announced today that more than 500.000 people have returned to Gaza since the start of the ceasefire, which Israel declared yesterday, Beta reports.
"More than 500.000 people... from yesterday to today have arrived in Gaza," said a spokesman for the Civil Defense, which is under the command of Hamas.
The Israeli military warned Gaza residents yesterday that a ceasefire had begun, and indicated that several areas remained dangerous. The Israeli military urged civilians not to approach its troops still in Gaza.
Bonus video:
