Hamas Signals Resistance to US Disarmament Ultimatum; Board of Peace Roadmap Under Review

Hamas sources told Reuters on March 27–28 that the group views complete disarmament of its armed wings as 'highly unlikely,' signaling deep resistance to the Board of Peace's formal disarmament roadmap presented in late March. Key Hamas concerns include vulnerability to rival armed clans if weapons are surrendered, suspicion that Israel would arm competing factions, the absence of binding political guarantees on Israeli withdrawal or Palestinian statehood, and insistence that Phase 1 obligations must be fully met first. The Board of Peace plan, backed by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and UN representative Nickolay Mladenov, conditions $17+ billion in reconstruction funding on Hamas disarmament in eight monthly phases, with an International Stabilisation Force (Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Albania) monitoring compliance. Mladenov briefed the UN Security Council on March 24, declaring Phase 1 'largely complete' and warning that the 'window for peace is not indefinite.' The UK hosted an International Peace Fund conference in March but declined to join the Board of Peace over concerns about Putin's participation and the board's broad mandate.