Hamas Official: Ready to Discuss Freezing Weapons for Israel Truce

• Hamas official Bassem Naim stated the group is ready to discuss "freezing or storing" its weapons as part of a ceasefire with Israel.
• This offer aims to resolve a key issue in the US-brokered agreement, moving into a more complex second phase.
• Naim suggested a long-term truce (5-10 years) for discussions, linking disarmament to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
• Hamas welcomes a UN force to supervise the ceasefire at borders but rejects its mandate inside Palestinian territories or for disarmament.
• Progress has been made with the Palestinian Authority on forming a technocratic committee to run Gaza, with a minister identified as Majed Abu Ramadan.

Why It Matters: Hamas's offer to freeze/store weapons signals a potential breakthrough in peace talks.