US Efforts to Disarm Hamas in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Negotiations
Israeli broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday that Washington is pursuing a solution to the issue of Hamas fighters as part of broader plans that include relocating the group's leaders from the Gaza Strip.
The reports indicate that no significant progress has been made regarding the militant members of the group who are currently trapped in the southern city of Rafah.
In a related development, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a proposed plan to establish a "multinational force led by the US to disarm Hamas in the Old City of Gaza and reduce its military presence," referring to areas still controlled by the group in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government's firm stance against Hamas, stating during the opening of a cabinet meeting on Sunday: "Gaza will be disarmed, and Hamas will be stripped of its weapons either the easy way or the hard way. I do not need reinforcements, tweets, or lectures from anyone."
These remarks come as US efforts continue to find a resolution for the crisis involving nearly 100 Hamas fighters who remain trapped in underground tunnels in areas controlled by Israeli forces in Rafah.
This situation poses one of the largest obstacles to transitioning to the second phase of the ceasefire, as Israel refuses to allow the trapped fighters to leave without their surrender and complete disarmament, while Hamas argues that Israel is using this issue as a "pretext" to delay the implementation of the next phase of the agreement.
