In a seismic shift for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, a senior Hamas source has revealed that the militant group will completely abstain from any role in post-war governance, paving the way for a technocratic overhaul under international scrutiny. The announcement, shared anonymously with AFP on October 12, 2025, arrives just days after an Israel-Hamas ceasefire took effect, triggering intense discussions on implementing U.S. President Donald Trump's ambitious 20-point peace plan—a blueprint designed to dismantle Hamas's military grip and foster long-term stability in the region.

The source, speaking on behalf of Hamas's negotiating committee, emphasized that "for Hamas, the governance of the Gaza Strip is a closed issue." He clarified that the group has effectively relinquished administrative control during the transitional phase but will persist as an integral element of the broader Palestinian identity. "Hamas will not participate at all in the transitional phase," the source stated, underscoring a unified stance among the group's leadership, which has historically grappled with internal divisions on pivotal matters like territorial administration.

This concession aligns closely with Trump's September 2025 proposal, which mandates Hamas's total exclusion from future Gaza leadership to transform the enclave into a "deradicalized, terror-free zone" free from threats to neighbors. The plan's first clause explicitly bars the group from any direct or indirect involvement in governance, calling for the destruction of its military infrastructure and weapons caches to prevent rebuilding. In their place, a temporary, apolitical Palestinian committee—overseen by a "Board of Peace"—would handle essential services like water, electricity, and municipal operations until the reformed Palestinian Authority assumes full control, though no firm timeline has been set.

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Trump's framework, negotiated with input from Arab and Muslim nations, also prioritizes immediate humanitarian surges, including aid consistent with the January 2025 agreement for infrastructure rehab and rubble clearance. It envisions opening the Rafah crossing bidirectionally under established protocols and offers safe passage for any Hamas members wishing to relocate, while encouraging residents to stay and rebuild. The ceasefire's activation on October 8 followed Hamas's partial acceptance of the plan, including hostage releases— with all 20 believed-alive captives due within 72 hours—and prisoner swaps exceeding 1,000 Palestinians, many serving life terms.

Yet, disarmament remains the plan's thorniest element, a non-negotiable "red line" for Hamas. The source reiterated the group's firm opposition: "Hamas disarmament is out of the question," echoing earlier statements from officials. While open to a "long-term truce" where weapons stay holstered—except in self-defense against Israeli incursions—Hamas views surrendering arms as existential surrender. Analysts note this could derail progress, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "finish the job" if compliance falters, amid threats from his far-right coalition against perceived concessions.

As world leaders gear up for a pivotal peace summit in Egypt, the Hamas negotiators have urged Cairo to convene a meeting by week's end to finalize the transitional committee's makeup. "We've submitted 40 names from Hamas and other factions—none are Hamas members, and there's no veto in play," the source revealed, signaling readiness to expedite the handover. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and the U.S. have been instrumental in bridging gaps, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailing the opportunity to end the "tragic conflict" that has claimed over 66,000 lives since the October 2023 escalation.

This fragile accord caps a tumultuous two-year war marked by collapsed truces in late 2023, January 2025, and a March 2025 Israeli offensive. Hamas's governance pivot, while a diplomatic win for Trump—who imposed a tight deadline for acceptance—hints at pragmatic evolution within the group, potentially framing the disarmament debate as a future bargaining chip. For Gaza's 2.3 million residents, emerging from devastation, the stakes couldn't be higher: will this blueprint deliver enduring peace, or unravel under the weight of entrenched distrust? As Israeli forces begin phased withdrawals to buffer zones and aid convoys mobilize, the world watches Egypt's talks for signs of a lasting dawn.

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