Hamas open to 'weapons freeze' for Gaza truce, rejects disarmament

• Hamas is open to a "weapons freeze" or storage, but rejects disarmament as part of the US-sponsored Gaza peace plan.
• Top Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal stated that total disarmament is unacceptable, proposing a freeze to prevent military escalation.
• Hamas opposes the US-sponsored ceasefire's second phase, which demands their disarmament, viewing it as stripping their "soul."
• Hamas is open to an international force on Gaza's border with Israel but not inside Gaza, calling internal deployment "occupation."

Why It Matters: Hamas's weapons stance critically impacts the Gaza peace deal's future.