Israel has given Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, led by Hamas, a two-month deadline to disarm, warning that failure to comply will trigger a new war.
Israeli sources said the ultimatum was issued in full coordination with the United States, with an understanding that Israel alone will define what constitutes disarmament and how compliance will be verified.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, the military is already preparing operational plans should force be required.
US President Donald Trump publicly reinforced Israel’s stance, saying Hamas could comply the easy way or the hard way. Israeli officials said the warning follows direct understandings between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Under the plan, Hamas would be given two months from the establishment of a “peace council” and a technocratic administration in Gaza to surrender its weapons. If it fails to do so voluntarily, the Israeli army will intervene.
Israeli security assessments say Hamas remains operational despite heavy losses during the war on Gaza and is far from collapse. Intelligence estimates indicate the group still exercises military and administrative control in parts of Gaza, continues to rearm, rebuild underground infrastructure, and reorganize its combat forces.
Officials argue that the current transitional period benefits Hamas and allows it to restore capabilities.
As a result, Israeli sources stressed that extending the current phase is not an option, and that a clear, limited timetable has been set, at the end of which a decisive move will be made.
Disarmament of Hamas, they added, is not merely a declared goal but a binding condition for any progress in Gaza.
Israel has made clear it will not accept partial or symbolic steps and will not retreat from its red line as long as Hamas retains military capabilities.
Until full disarmament is achieved, Israel’s cooperation with the newly formed technocratic government in Gaza will remain limited, with Israeli authorities reviewing its composition and personnel.
While Hamas has announced it is willing to hand over governance in Gaza to a technocratic administration, it has not said it will relinquish its weapons.
US officials previously told Axios that Hamas had sent positive signals in secret contacts about accepting a phased US plan for disarmament, tied to the second phase of the Gaza agreement.
The plan reportedly includes dismantling tunnels, destroying weapons factories, removing rockets and heavy arms, and forming a single armed police force under the technocratic government.
Washington and Tel Aviv are also considering a special amnesty for Hamas members willing to surrender personal weapons and abandon armed activity.
