Hamas denied media claims that it agreed to disarm, calling them fabricated ahead of a new Egypt-hosted ceasefire and prisoner exchange talks under Trump’s Gaza plan.

The Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas issued a statement on Sunday rejecting what it described as “fabricated allegations” circulated by several media outlets concerning the ongoing ceasefire negotiations and the group’s position on disarmament.

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said, “We categorically deny the fabricated claims published by a number of media outlets regarding the progress of the ceasefire talks and Hamas’ stance on disarmament.”

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He added that such reports were baseless and aimed at “distorting facts and misleading public opinion.” Mardawi urged media organizations to verify information and rely solely on official and credible Hamas channels instead of rumors and anonymous sources.

The statement came in response to reports quoting an unnamed Hamas source who claimed that the movement had begun collecting the bodies of Israelis and agreed to surrender its weapons to a joint Palestinian-Egyptian body under international supervision.

Egypt is set to host indirect negotiations on Monday between delegations from Israel and Hamas to discuss the terms of a prisoner exchange, as part of US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end the war in Gaza.

According to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the talks will address the situation on the ground and the exchange of all Israeli captives in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, in accordance with Trump’s 20-point plan announced on September 29. 

The plan includes a ceasefire, the release of Israeli prisoners, and the disarmament of Hamas.

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Israel estimates that 48 of its captives remain in Gaza, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Meanwhile, approximately 11,100 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, where many suffer from torture, starvation, and medical neglect. Several have died in custody, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel — with American support — has been waging a genocidal war on Gaza, killing 67,139 Palestinians and injuring 169,583 others, most of them women and children. 

The ongoing siege has also caused a famine that has claimed the lives of 459 people, including 154 children.

(PC, AJA)