Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called Hamas's new political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya to congratulate him on his new role. According to a written statement by Hamas, Pezeshkian conveyed the message, 'We stand with you and support every step you take despite the attacks we face,' and reaffirmed Tehran's support for the Palestinian cause.
The message of support came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a historic deal for the complete disarmament of Hamas. The Trump administration is pursuing a roadmap through the Peace Council to remove Hamas from governance in Gaza and secure the handover of heavy weapons. Iran's continued support is seen as one of the biggest obstacles to this process.
Trump said in recent days that a 'historic deal for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups' had been signed. The deal was presented as a major turning point after nearly three years of war. The Peace Council includes figures such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and will oversee the reconstruction of Gaza under Trump's presidency.
However, the council has also created tensions on the Israeli side. The council's Gaza High Representative Nickolay Mladenov and adviser Aryeh Lightstone met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to demand a halt to the attacks. Israel rejected the demand, stating, 'We will not withdraw from the current line; we will continue to prevent threats to our civilians and soldiers.'
Hamas, for its part, favors a conditional process on disarmament. The group says it could accept the storage of weapons if Israel halts its attacks, withdraws its forces, and allows more aid into Gaza. However, Hamas avoids using the word 'disarmament' in its statements and stresses that the weapons will remain under Palestinian control.
Michael Milstein, head of the Palestinian Studies Center at Tel Aviv University, told Fox News Digital that the complete disarmament of Hamas is highly unlikely. Milstein said Hamas might agree to hand over day-to-day governance to a technocratic government but aims to maintain its military structure and achieve a position similar to Hezbollah's model in Lebanon.
As international pressure continues, Palestinian lawyer Mumin al-Natur, a founder of the anti-Hamas 'We Want to Live' movement, said civilians want the deal to succeed but do not trust Hamas to relinquish power. Al-Natur, who was previously imprisoned by Hamas, argued that the group would continue to stay in Gaza through delay and violation tactics.
There is also resistance to the deal within the Israeli government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strock called on Netanyahu to convene an emergency security cabinet and demanded that the entry of an international stabilization force into Gaza be blocked. The ministers argued that the roadmap is 'dangerous' for Israel and does not guarantee the complete disarmament of Hamas.
While the deal announced by Trump is seen as a critical step for the reconstruction of Gaza, the question of whether Hamas will lay down its arms remains unanswered. Iran's support and internal opposition highlight the fragility of the process.
