Palestinian-American scholar Bishara Bahbah reveals details of Hamas's most far-reaching proposal to date, which includes handing over weapons and abandoning tunnels, but Israel's initial response is negative.
The Islamist organization Hamas has signaled its readiness to disarm and agree to a long-term ceasefire as part of a proposed agreement already submitted to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Dr. Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American scholar and former hostage negotiation mediator, Hamas handed over a detailed demilitarization plan about three weeks ago, and Bahbah personally forwarded it to White House officials.
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on July 31, 2026, Bahbah described the proposal as Hamas's most far-reaching move to date. It includes handing over weapons, ceasing all military activities, halting weapons smuggling, and abandoning the extensive tunnel network in the Gaza Strip. In return, Hamas seeks a long-term ceasefire, known as hudna, lasting 10 to 15 years, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
"The proposal talked about Hamas giving up its weapons. That would include Hamas not developing weapons, not smuggling weapons, not displaying military capabilities in Gaza, and refraining from using tunnels," Bahbah told The Jerusalem Post. He added that he believes the Palestinian side, including Hamas, is very serious about this proposal.
According to Bahbah, Hamas has come to a key realization. "I think Hamas has realized that if it wants to continue as a political entity, it can no longer have weapons," he said. "What weapons do they still have that could be used against Israelis? If they ever use those weapons again, Israel would immediately respond with devastating force. The usefulness of their weapons has come to an end."
Despite the optimism Bahbah expresses about Hamas's intentions, he acknowledges that Israel has so far responded cautiously. "My understanding is that the initial Israeli response was negative. They do not think that what Hamas is proposing is sufficient in terms of a genuine renunciation of weapons," Bahbah said. According to his information, Israeli officials are not convinced that Hamas is ready to irreversibly dismantle its military infrastructure before international stabilization forces are deployed and the withdrawal of Israeli troops begins.
Bahbah notes that Hamas is under immense pressure from other Palestinian factions, particularly the group of former Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan. "They were under enormous pressure from various Palestinian factions, especially Mohammed Dahlan's group, to give up their weapons once and for all so that Israel could begin withdrawing and start reconstruction," he explained.
One issue that, according to Bahbah, is central to any deal but has received little public attention is security guarantees for Hamas members and leadership after disarmament. "Hamas is concerned about the safety of its members and leadership," he said. "I believe that if the United States can guarantee that after Hamas gives up its weapons, there will be assurances for the safety of Hamas members and its leadership, then that becomes a very important element of the agreement."
Bahbah believes that if Israel accepts verified disarmament and proceeds with the deployment of international forces, the conflict could come to an end. "As I understand it, Israel is not ready to withdraw from Gaza until Hamas gives up its weapons. If Israel respects the fact that Hamas is handing over its weapons, whether to international forces, NCAG, or the Egyptians, I believe that is the end of the war in Gaza. I sincerely hope that will be the case," he concluded.
While Bahbah's interview offers a detailed insight into Hamas's position, contradictory information is also emerging. The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported on August 1, 2026, that the U.S. announced an agreement under which "Hamas is ready to disarm and Israel will withdraw from Gaza." However, Japan's NHK World on the same day quoted Hamas as saying that disarmament is conditional on the withdrawal of Israeli forces, suggesting that a final deal has not yet been reached. Israel, according to La Repubblica, has not given an official reaction, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is, as the paper puts it, "forced to yield but remains silent."
In parallel with diplomatic efforts, The Jerusalem Post cites The Telegraph reporting that the U.S. and Israel are also considering imposing a land blockade on Iran to increase its economic isolation. The plan would require the cooperation of Iran's neighboring countries-Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. This option, among several others, was reportedly discussed at a meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. "What if you simply block the land? Suppose Iran can't bring anything in and can't take anything out. Everything will happen," a senior Israeli official told The Telegraph.
Retired U.S. General Sean MacFarland assessed that the economic approach is a way to "bring the regime to its knees," but described the land blockade as "almost impossible" and warned of difficulties due to Iran's land borders, especially with Iraq, which is highly aligned with Tehran. "The economic approach is concise, but it must have kinetic elements," MacFarland added to The Telegraph.
Adding to the uncertainty is the U.S. president himself. NHK World reports that Trump said on August 1, 2026, that he is "losing confidence" in Iran, casting a shadow over parallel negotiations with Tehran and making progress on both tracks highly uncertain.
