Senior commanders in Hamas’s military wing are divided over whether the terror group should place its weapons under centralized control, with several commanders warning that surrendering or cataloging the arsenal could expose Hamas to devastating Israeli attacks, according to a report in i24NEWS.

Palestinian sources within Hamas said Mahmoud al-Barim, commander of the southern region overseeing the Khan Younis and Rafah brigades, has strongly opposed the process. In a document sent to Hamas and Qassam leadership, al-Barim reportedly warned that conducting an inventory of weapons at this stage would be unnecessary and could have severe consequences.

Al-Barim argued that Israel could exploit such a process to launch major operations targeting Hamas commanders and active members. His position reportedly has the backing of al-Din al-Beik, commander of the Northern Brigade, who survived an Israeli assassination attempt approximately two months ago during an attack targeting an apartment where he was present alongside Imad Islim, commander of the Zeitoun Battalion and deputy commander of the Gaza Brigade.

Al-Beik reportedly warned that Israel uses negotiations as a means of identifying new targets before striking them and urged Hamas’s political leadership not to fall into what he described as a trap. At the same time, he supports efforts to improve humanitarian conditions and reach a complete end to the war, but opposes placing Hamas’s weapons under centralized control. Instead, he has called for another arrangement, including the possibility of a long-term truce lasting more than 20 years.

The dispute comes as Hamas’s political leadership considers placing its weapons under centralized control as part of implementing an agreement reached between Hamas and the Board of Peace. Israel, however, continues to insist on Hamas’s complete disarmament and the removal of its weapons from Gaza. The Board of Peace has reportedly assured Israel that weapons surrendered under the arrangement would be melted down and would not remain inside the Gaza Strip in any form, including under the control of a technocratic committee.

Other senior Hamas commanders, including Nafiz Subaih, commander of al-Qassam, and Imad Aqel, a veteran member of the General Staff, reportedly support restricting the weapons. However, sources said the disagreement remains significant and that Hamas’s military leadership does not unanimously accept the arrangement.

Despite ongoing agreements, Hamas and the Qassam leadership reportedly believe Israel will ultimately reject what is taking shape. As a result, limited drills are continuing, new members are being recruited, and preparations are underway for scenarios Hamas believes Israel could impose on the group — including a possible return to war.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)