The disarmament of Hamas, as provided for in US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, is"out of the question," a leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement told AFP.

"The proposal to hand over the weapons is out of the question and non-negotiable," the senior official said on condition of anonymity.

The US president said that the disarmament of Hamas would be addressed in the second phase of the peace plan.

The 20-point plan promises amnesty to Hamas members who surrender their weapons and allows them to leave Gaza.

The Hamas leader made this statement as the truce in Gaza continues to hold and Israeli authorities are still awaiting the release of hostages captured during the attacks of October 7, 2023.

Read also

The disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces are seen as key sticking points in Trump's plan, despite growing optimism about an end to two years of devastating war.

sg/mcc