US Demands a Complete Disarmament of Hamas
United States diplomats have formally requested the complete disarmament of Hamas and its allied Palestinian armed factions operating in the Gaza Strip. This demand forms part of a broader strategy aimed at what experts interpret as the total "political surrender" of the organization.
This request was conveyed during discussions held in Cairo in mid-March, as part of a contentious US framework for Gaza amid Israel's ongoing military actions and occupation, which have severely impacted the territory and its inhabitants following a two-year campaign that has reportedly claimed over 72,000 lives, primarily affecting women and children.
Media sources indicate that the proposal builds upon former President Trump's 20-point plan that addresses the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement for Gaza. Within this structure, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories is contingent upon the disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups.
Speaking before the United Nations Security Council, Nickolay Mladenov, the envoy appointed by Trump, urged Palestinian factions to accept the outlined framework "without delay." He highlighted that the disarmament process would be executed on a reciprocal basis, tying the decommissioning of arms to the gradual withdrawal of troops.
A Coercive Ultimatum
Many Palestinian factions and commentators characterize the US plan not as a sincere diplomatic effort, but rather as a coercive ultimatum. Political analyst Wesam Afifa remarked that the document resembles a threat rather than a negotiation proposal, pointing to notable changes in US strategy towards Gaza that emphasize disarmament while sidelining previous commitments made to the Palestinian population.
Afifa identified several key shifts in strategy:
- ‘Militarising’ the NCAG: The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza is now beginning to screen candidates for civilian police roles, shifting its focus from humanitarian aid to security enforcement.
- A ‘one-sided security doctrine’: The proposed plan simplifies the diplomatic process to a focus on Palestinian disarmament while granting Israel broader latitude to conduct security operations against perceived threats.
- ‘Piecemeal’ reconstruction: Reconstruction initiatives would be divided into phases, offering aid only to regions that comply with disarmament while marginalizing others.
Looking Forward
US officials have indicated that Hamas could be offered amnesty along with prospects for financial investments should it agree to disarm. Mladenov also mentioned that a comprehensive decommissioning framework is in place, backed by guarantors including the US, Egypt, Turkiye, and Qatar, and that discussions are ongoing regarding a temporary International Stabilization Force.
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