Hamas absence at ceasefire signing raises doubts over peace intentions

A senior Hamas official announced Saturday that the group will not attend the official signing ceremony for the ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The statement raises renewed doubts about the group’s genuine commitment to the peace process.

“As for the official signing, we will not be present,” said Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP). He added that the movement is “acting through Qatari and Egyptian mediators.”

The absence of Hamas at the formal ceremony — expected to be a key moment in the implementation of the U.S.-brokered agreement — is being viewed by observers as more than a symbolic snub. It signals what many have feared: the group is hesitant to endorse, or be seen endorsing, a negotiated peace.

The move is especially alarming given the delicate balance that underpins the deal, which was unveiled earlier this week with strong backing from U.S. President Donald Trump, and cautiously welcomed by regional stakeholders including Egypt, Israel, and Qatar.

While Hamas has not formally rejected the ceasefire framework, its refusal to appear publicly at the signing table suggests a lack of full political ownership of the process — or worse, an attempt to keep one foot in the war.

In contrast, the Israeli government, the United States, and several Arab partners have indicated clear readiness to implement the agreement, which includes provisions for a long-term ceasefire, hostage releases, and the gradual reopening of humanitarian corridors.

“This isn’t just a diplomatic absence — it’s a message,” noted one Middle East analyst. “By refusing to show up, Hamas is signaling either internal disunity, external pressure from hardliners, or simply an unwillingness to legitimize peace.”

The group has a history of hedging its public positions, often relying on intermediaries to avoid full accountability for its political choices. But with a ceasefire now on the table and a war-weary population desperate for relief, such evasiveness may prove increasingly unsustainable.

Whether this posture is strategic, ideological, or simply tactical, the absence of Hamas from the signing ceremony will not go unnoticed — by its adversaries, its own people, or the international community.