Disputes over Hamas disarmament threaten Gaza peace plan progress

"The Israeli government is pushing for the complete disarmament of Hamas to come first and Israeli officials have been briefing journalists that the US will soon lay down a 60-day deadline for that to be completed. It is estimated that, in the coming days, Hamas will be given an ultimatum to disarm and fully demilitarise Gaza."

"If Hamas did not comply, the minister said, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would receive international legitimacy and American backing to do it itself. The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, reportedly told Israel's security cabinet on Sunday that Trump would deliver his ultimatum to Hamas within days."

"The second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire, which Washington declared had begun in January, was meant to involve Hamas disarming, Israeli forces withdrawing, and a Palestinian interim administration moving into Gaza backed by a Palestinian police force and an international stabilisation force (ISF). The 20-point plan, which is supposed to be overseen by Donald Trump's newly assembled Board of Peace, is vague on sequencing, however."

The US-brokered Gaza ceasefire's second phase has stalled due to disagreements over Hamas disarmament procedures. Israel insists on complete Hamas disarmament before other steps, while the 20-point plan overseen by Trump's Board of Peace lacks clear sequencing. Israeli officials indicate Washington will impose a 60-day disarmament deadline, with threats of IDF military action if Hamas refuses. Trump's recent State of the Union address notably omitted mention of the peace plan despite earlier claims of historic progress. Uncertainty remains regarding who would receive Hamas weapons during any disarmament campaign, as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza prepares to manage reconstruction efforts.

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