Gaza peace council says Hamas heavy weapons handover will follow Israeli pullout

The Gaza Peace Council said Friday that the collection and storage of Hamas's heavy weapons will begin only after a national committee and an international force enter Gaza. The council said the inventory and storage process is tied to a phased Israeli military withdrawal from occupied areas, with a full timeline to be completed within 14 days. According to the council, the operation will be overseen by an international investigation commission and a stabilization force, with the participation of Palestinian groups. It stressed that the weapons would not be transferred to Israel or to non-Palestinian parties. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the draft text published by the council was unacceptable to Israel, adding that targeted operations in Gaza must continue and that emigration should be encouraged. The council said Thursday that negotiations with Hamas on the weapons handover were progressing well and that the group would not hold any administrative role in Gaza.