Israel has asserted that Hamas “will be disarmed” as part of the US-backed peace plan for Gaza, dismissing a proposal from a senior Hamas official suggesting only a temporary “freeze” on weapons.
An Israeli official told AFP on Thursday that dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities is a non-negotiable element of the peace framework.
“There is no future for Hamas under the 20-point plan. The group will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarised,” the official said.
The statement came after Khaled Meshaal, a leading Hamas figure, indicated in an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the group might consider halting its use of weapons, but firmly rejected the full disarmament demanded under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan.
The dispute over disarmament underscores the core security challenges in the region, particularly as violence continues to surge in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023—triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel—the West Bank has experienced a dramatic rise in deadly confrontations.
The Palestinian health ministry reports that at least 1,006 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers. Israeli authorities say 43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank over the same period.
Israel’s firm stance on complete demilitarisation sets a significant hurdle for peace negotiations, underscoring its determination to eliminate Hamas’s military presence in Gaza.
