Hamas's insistence on keeping its weapons gives Israel an excuse to resume its military operations in Gaza, political affairs researcher Dr. Akeel Abbas told Saudi channel Al Hadath on Saturday.
The interview focused on unresolved issues surrounding Trump's peace plan and the expected obstacles that would arise when implementing it.
When asked what the US could do to ease the ceasefire process, Abbas replied, “In my opinion, if the hostages are released, I mean, truly released, if we see a real change, it will be difficult for Israel to renew military operations. The main justification is the failure to release the hostages.”
"Hamas didn't reject the other points [of the plan] explicitly," he explained, "but rather diverted the discussion. In other words, it gave something that wasn't a rejection and wasn't an acceptance. It offered an alternative mechanism and left it to negotiations. In other words, it didn't close the door."
Abbas stressed that “there are many details that need to be worked out, and this will take a long time."
Some of the questions Abbas stated that still need to be answered include: how are the Palestinian police going to be established?; Who will train them?; Which countries will the Arab and Islamic forces come from?; How will they be deployed?; Which areas of the Gaza Strip will Israeli forces be present in?; and when will the remaining IDF soldiers withdraw?
"There are hundreds of details to discuss," he said.
Hamas rearmament is potential suicide
On the issue of disarmament, he noted that “Hamas did not reject disarmament; rather, it referred the matter to internal Palestinian discussion."
Abbas explained that Hamas did that to not appear as if the group had surrendered.
"Arabs and the international community, even countries involved in this like Qatar and Turkey, want it [Hamas] disarmed. The Palestinian Authority wants it disarmed.
"It’s not in a position to rule Gaza and also keep its weapons.”
The researcher warned, “If Hamas insists and uses its weapons against Israel, it will reopen the door to war. I think that would be suicidal. I don’t think it will go against the Arab, Islamic, and international consensus after the disaster of October 7.”
Abbas concluded on an optimistic note. “I imagine that Trump will be deeply invested in making this operation a success, because he views it as a major achievement for himself.
We’re talking about a struggle that has lasted two years. Now,we’ve reached a turning point that seems important and significant. The United States will intervene with all its power to ensure that this process moves forward to completion.”