Hamas says issue of heavy weaponry linked to Israeli withdrawal from Gaza

GAZA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said Friday in a statement that incorporating the issue of heavy weaponry into the Gaza agreement is conditional on a complete halt to "aggression," Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, and progress on reconstruction.

The conditions also include the entry of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the deployment of international forces, the disbanding of armed groups formed by the Israeli side, guarantees for the Palestinians' right to self-determination, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, among others, it said.

"The Israeli occupation's commitment to halting the killing and ending its attacks is the fundamental prerequisite and the first step in proceeding with the implementation," it added.

Also on Friday, Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim said that Hamas agreed to the "latest version of the roadmap" for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement after "fierce" negotiations.

Naim added that "the ball is now in Israel's court" to fulfill its obligations.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the so-called "Board of Peace" had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.

Yet Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas' negotiating delegation, rejected reports describing the arrangement as disarmament, insisting that the issue of weapons remains linked to the implementation of the agreement's other provisions, particularly Israeli withdrawal and the launch of reconstruction efforts.

Israel has not issued an official response to the deal, but several media reports, citing unnamed Israeli officials, said the Israeli army would not leave Gaza until "genuine disarmament" of Hamas. ■