Hamas denies media reports of readiness to surrender weapons under Trump's plan

(Patria) - Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi denied media reports that the group has allegedly agreed to lay down its arms in accordance with US President Donald Trump's plan to resolve the conflict in the Gaza Strip, TASS reported late last night.

"Mahmoud Mardawi denied the false claims by Al Hadath television channel and other media outlets about progress in ceasefire negotiations (in Gaza) and the movement's stance on the issue of surrendering weapons," Hamas announced on its Telegram channel.

"These claims are absolutely unfounded and are being made to discredit (Hamas's) position and mislead the public."

Earlier that day, Al Arabiya and Al Hadath television channels reported, citing their sources, that Hamas had informed the United States that it had agreed to lay down its arms.

On September 29, the White House presented Trump's "comprehensive plan" to resolve the conflict in Gaza, consisting of twenty points. The proposal includes temporary external administration of the enclave and the deployment of international stabilization forces. Israel expressed support for the plan.

On October 3, Hamas submitted its response to Trump's proposal to the mediator. It expressed readiness to release all living Israeli hostages held in the enclave and hand over the bodies of those who are dead. It also confirmed its readiness to hand over responsibility for governing Gaza to a Palestinian body of independent technocratic politicians.

However, Hamas noted that the remaining points of Trump's plan concerning the future of Gaza should be considered within the framework of a "comprehensive Palestinian national framework".

A new round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas will be held today in Egypt.