Hamas Faces 90-Day Deadline to Surrender All Heavy Weapons Under New Gaza Peace Plan
Gaza, 22 March 2026
A groundbreaking disarmament proposal demands Hamas and other Gaza militant groups hand over rocket launchers, missiles, and detailed tunnel maps within three months. The plan, presented in March 2026 by Trump’s Board of Peace representative Nickolay Mladenov, follows October 2025’s ceasefire agreement that ended the Gaza war. Weapons collection would proceed region by region, starting in southern Gaza, with reconstruction advancing as areas demilitarise. The proposal includes an innovative gun-buyback programme offering immunity to militants who voluntarily surrender firearms. Unlike previous Israeli demands for immediate total disarmament, this phased approach has gained acceptance from Israeli officials and mediating countries as more realistic and implementable.
Regional Disarmament Framework Takes Shape
The disarmament proposal represents a significant departure from previous international approaches to Gaza security arrangements. The new framework requires all terror groups in Gaza, including Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other armed outfits, to completely disarm over a several-month period [1]. This comprehensive scope extends beyond Hamas alone, encompassing the full spectrum of militant organisations operating within the territory. The proposal builds upon the foundation established in October 2025, when Iran and Hamas signed on to Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, which ended the war in Gaza and calls for Hamas to disarm as Israeli forces gradually withdraw [1]. Hamas received the disarmament framework in Cairo this month at a meeting headed by Nickolay Mladenov, Gaza representative of President Trump’s Board of Peace [1].
Implementation Timeline and Response Expectations
The weapons handover would occur region by region, starting in Southern Gaza, with reconstruction advancing as areas demilitarise [1]. This phased approach addresses concerns about rapid implementation whilst ensuring progressive security improvements across the territory. Hamas is expected to respond to the proposal as early as next week, beginning 23 March 2026 [1]. The timeline provides militants with a clear deadline whilst allowing sufficient preparation for the complex logistics of weapon collection and tunnel mapping. Nickolay Mladenov emphasised the transformative potential of the plan, stating that it “can unlock reconstruction, breathe life into communities, and bring closer to unity and a negotiated resolution of the Palestinian question” [1].
Incentives and Security Arrangements
The plan includes a gun-buyback programme that could grant immunity to terrorists who willingly hand over their firearms [1]. This innovative approach addresses concerns about individual combatants who may fear prosecution whilst encouraging voluntary participation in the disarmament process. The immunity provisions represent a pragmatic recognition that successful disarmament requires incentives beyond mere compliance demands. Previous negotiations had stalled over Israel’s demand that Hamas turn over all weaponry at once, which mediating countries considered unrealistic [1]. The current proposal’s phased structure has gained broader acceptance, with Israeli officials not objecting to the proposal [1].
Impact on Refugee and Civilian Populations
The disarmament plan carries profound implications for Gaza’s civilian population and regional refugee communities who have endured years of conflict-related displacement. Successful implementation would fundamentally alter security conditions along Gaza’s borders, potentially enabling the return of displaced populations and reducing the flow of new refugees seeking safety in neighbouring territories [GPT]. The region-by-region approach means that southern Gaza residents could experience immediate improvements in security and access to reconstruction assistance, whilst northern areas would follow in subsequent phases [1]. The comprehensive nature of the disarmament, including detailed tunnel mapping requirements, addresses long-standing concerns about underground infrastructure that has complicated previous ceasefire arrangements and threatened civilian safety [1].