Gaza Envoy Says Hamas Not Asked to ‘Disappear as a Political Movement’ but Must Disarm

The Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza on Wednesday said Hamas may remain as a political force on the condition that it lays down its weapons. “We are asking the political leadership of those who govern Gaza now to step aside. This is required by the Security Council resolution in the 20-point plan,” said Nickolay Mladenov during a press conference in Jerusalem, referring to the peace plan for the territory, AFP reported. “We are not asking Hamas to disappear as a political movement. A political party that disavows armed activity can compete in national Palestinian elections. What is not negotiable, however, is that armed factions or militias… can exist alongside a transitional Palestinian authority,” he said.