Netanyahu Insists on Disarming Hamas Amid Shifting US Stance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment on March 10, 2024, to disarm Hamas, regardless of changing conditions surrounding the peace negotiations. This declaration follows reports indicating that the United States may be reconsidering its demand for Hamas to disarm as part of President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.

According to the Times of Israel, the White House is contemplating dropping its calls for Hamas to disarm due to difficulties in securing international peacekeeping troops to oversee the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. In his weekly cabinet address, Netanyahu stated, “In the 20-point plan, and in any other case, this area will be demilitarized and Hamas will be disarmed — either the easy way or the hard way.” He emphasized that both he and Trump share this position.

The uncertainty surrounding the Gaza cease-fire persists, with only three hostages remaining in Hamas’s custody. The current deal aims to establish a foundation for lasting peace once all hostages are released; however, significant disagreements between Israel and Hamas continue to hinder progress. Hamas has consistently maintained that it will not relinquish its weapons or authority in Gaza until a clear path is established for Palestinian statehood, a condition Netanyahu firmly opposes.

Trump has previously warned Hamas of severe consequences for failing to disarm, stating that an international coalition would be deployed to facilitate the demilitarization of the region. Despite this, allies appear reluctant to send troops, with only Indonesia expressing readiness to contribute up to 20,000 soldiers.

Implications for International Relations

The situation is poised for further scrutiny during the upcoming vote at the United Nations Security Council. This vote will address Trump’s peace deal, which asserts that “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood once hostilities cease. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Israel is lobbying both the US and other UNSC member states to modify the language of the resolution, aiming to downplay commitments concerning Palestinian statehood.

Netanyahu reiterated, “Our opposition to a Palestinian state anywhere west of the Jordan River exists, is firm, and has not changed whatsoever.” He added that he has resisted both external and internal pressures to accept the idea of a Palestinian state for decades.

As international dynamics shift and the fate of the Gaza cease-fire hangs in the balance, the focus remains on how these developments will impact the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the quest for peace in the region.