Plans to allow a “safe exit” for some Hamas leaders and activists from Gaza are faltering amid strict Israeli conditions and unresolved demands tied to the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement’s second phase, notably disarmament and the handover of control in the enclave to a technocratic committee.
Three Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat days ago that there was concrete movement to prepare lists of prominent leaders and activists, including prisoners freed in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, in preparation for travel and departure from Gaza under an agreement with mediators and the United States.
A senior Hamas leader later denied those reports, saying the issue had not been formally raised, while another source said he was unaware of such discussions.
Hurdles and conditions
Sources within Hamas told Asharq Al-Awsat that after lists were prepared for figures at various leadership levels, as well as activists and freed prisoners, obstacles began to emerge that could prevent the move from succeeding.
They said Israel is conditioning the departure of any Hamas leader on the complete disarmament and dismantling of the movement.
According to the sources, a delegation from Hamas leadership inside Gaza had been expected to travel to Cairo to discuss issues related to the group’s weapons and security apparatus.
The trip was later canceled, and the information will instead be passed to Hamas leaders abroad to relay to the mediators.
The sources said the Gaza delegation was expected to hold in-depth and detailed talks on unresolved issues related to the second phase, as well as the fate of the last Israeli hostage’s body in the enclave.
Despite this, some sources said that several prisoners freed in the Shalit exchange are in fact preparing for the possibility of traveling in the coming period from Gaza to Egypt and then immediately to a third country.
Expected meeting
The dispute over this issue comes as a plan proposed by US envoy Jared Kushner on Gaza indicated that some Hamas activists could receive pardons, be reintegrated into a new police force following strict security screening by Israel or the United States, or be allowed safe passage out of the territory.
Israel’s i24NEWS reported that a draft comprehensive agreement on the second phase would soon be discussed between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya.
The talks would address the group’s weapons by distinguishing between heavy and light arms, and would grant amnesty to fighters who surrender their guns. At the same time, Hamas would hand over maps of its tunnel network and weapons production sites.
Senior Hamas leaders and activists would then begin leaving the Gaza Strip.
Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that, as of Saturday, there is no confirmed plan to hold such a meeting. They said the issue of weapons and the requirements of the second phase remain under discussion between Hamas leadership and the mediators, including the United States.
