Israeli threat dismissed by Hamas
Hamas has firmly rejected statements from Israeli officials calling for the group to disarm within 60 days, amid threats to resume military action in Gaza. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi told Al Jazeera Mubasher that he was unaware of any such demand, describing the statements as media-driven threats without basis in ongoing negotiations.
US-backed plan under scrutiny
Israeli Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, speaking at a conference in Jerusalem, claimed the two-month period was requested by the United States administration. He warned that failure to comply could lead the Israeli army to “complete the mission,” potentially reigniting conflict in Gaza. Mardawi responded, stressing that any renewed war would have “serious repercussions for the region” and reaffirmed that “the Palestinian people will not surrender.”
Ceasefire and disarmament tensions
The second phase of the US-backed ceasefire, which began in mid-January, includes discussions on Hamas disarmament and deployment of an international peacekeeping force. Hamas has refused to relinquish weapons while Israel maintains its occupation of Gaza. Khaled Meshaal, Hamas’s political leader abroad, has similarly rejected calls to disarm, warning that unarmed Palestinians would be vulnerable to elimination.
Humanitarian crisis continues
Since October 2023, Israel’s military operations have killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children. Ceasefire violations have been frequent, with Gaza authorities reporting over 1,500 breaches. Alongside military assaults, Israel has imposed severe restrictions on food, medicine, and shelter supplies for the approximately two million Palestinians living in the territory, including 1.5 million displaced residents.
International concerns
The situation has drawn widespread condemnation and heightened concerns over the stability of the region. Analysts warn that threats of renewed conflict could further exacerbate humanitarian conditions and escalate tensions across the Middle East.
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