Trump and Netanyahu Demand Hamas Disarmament

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are reportedly pushing for Hamas to disarm within two months. This development was highlighted in a report by Israel Hayom.

During a press conference on Monday at Mar-a-Lago, Trump, standing beside Netanyahu, issued a stark warning to terror groups, suggesting dire consequences if they refuse to disarm. He also hinted at the potential for renewed airstrikes in Gaza, supported by both Israel and the U.S.

This two-month disarmament deadline arrives as a ceasefire agreement, facilitated by Trump, moves into a crucial phase focused on Hamas’ disarmament.

Trump claimed at the press event that Hamas had consented to disarm, but the group has consistently maintained that it will only consider this if an independent Palestinian state is established or there is significant movement toward that goal.

“If they don’t disarm as they agreed to, they’re going to pay a hell of a price. And we don’t want that. We’re not asking for that,” Trump stated.

The disarmament proposal reportedly includes the dismantling of Hamas’ extensive underground tunnel network, according to Israel Hayom, a publication associated with Trump’s major supporter, Miriam Adelson.

In early December, Bassem Naim, a senior official within Hamas, indicated that the group could consider giving up weapons, but only under specific conditions: “We won’t use them for five, seven, 10 years unless we’re attacked. The other side must also disarm,” he explained.

On the other hand, Netanyahu has expressed firm opposition to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. This stance may complicate any move by Hamas to disarm, as the group ties its disarmament to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Back in late November, Netanyahu declared, “There is no Palestinian state. It’s very simple. It will not be established.”