The United States President Donald Trump has called for Hamas’s immediate disarmament as the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire begins. Trump warned that Hamas can disarm either “the easy way or the hard way.” In a statement on social media, Trump said that Hamas must fulfill all its promises immediately, including returning the remains of the last Israeli captive, Ron Arad, and completely disarming.
According to a foreign news agency, Trump claims that Hamas is willing to disarm. The US had stated that Hamas had not fulfilled its responsibilities in the first phase of the ceasefire. In the second phase, the US will work on disarming Hamas and establishing an international peace force.
However, Hamas claims that it will not disarm until Israel fully withdraws from Gaza. On the other hand, Israel continues to launch attacks in Gaza, despite the ceasefire, and has not withdrawn its military forces from the eastern part of Gaza, known as the “Yellow Line.” Israel has also restricted the supply of humanitarian aid.
Under the second phase of the ceasefire, a 15-member Palestinian Technocratic Committee will take charge of Gaza’s administration, with a “Board of Peace” overseeing its activities, chaired by US President Trump. Trump emphasized the need for Hamas to be disarmed quickly, as Gaza faces a severe shortage of food, water, medicine, and fuel.
The United Nations and aid organizations report that Israel has not approved the required amount of humanitarian aid, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
