Background on Key Players
The United States, under President Donald Trump’s Peace Committee, is pushing for the demilitarization of Gaza. This includes pressuring Hamas, a Palestinian militant group controlling nearly half of Gaza following an October ceasefire mediated by Trump, to disarm. However, Hamas claims it has not received a detailed or concrete disarmament proposal.
US Plan for Gaza Demilitarization
According to the US, the demilitarization of Gaza will involve a withdrawal of weapons through an agreed-upon process supported by an internationally-funded buyback program. US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, stated that Hamas should have no role in Gaza’s governance and all military infrastructures, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt.
International Oversight and Buyback Program
Waltz mentioned that international independent observers will supervise the demilitarization process, which includes a definitive withdrawal of weapons through an agreed-upon dismantling process supported by the international buyback and reintegration program. However, Waltz did not provide further details about the independent oversight or the proposed buyback program.
Hamas’ Stance and Arms Possession
Despite accepting to discuss disarmament with other Palestinian factions and mediators, Hamas officials told Reuters that neither Washington nor the mediators have presented a detailed or concrete disarmament proposal. Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, declared that Hamas remains heavily armed with thousands of rockets, anti-tank missiles, and tens of thousands of Kalashnikov rifles, totaling around 60,000 assault rifles.
International Peace Committee for Gaza
In November, the UN Security Council authorized Trump’s Peace Committee until 2027, focusing exclusively on Gaza. Russia and China abstained, criticizing the US-drafted resolution for not clearly assigning a role to the UN in Gaza’s future. The resolution described the committee as a transitional administration setting the framework and coordinating funding for Gaza’s reconstruction within Trump’s peace plan, until the Palestinian Authority undergoes satisfactory reform.
International Stabilization Force for Gaza
The resolution also authorized the temporary deployment of an International Stabilization Force in Gaza. Waltz welcomed contributions from allies for this force, though the US has not disclosed which countries have agreed to participate. The ISF will establish control and stability, enabling Israel’s Defense Forces to withdraw from Gaza based on agreed-upon standards, milestones, and timelines linked to demilitarization.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the US plan for Gaza demilitarization? The US proposes a process supported by an internationally-funded buyback program, involving the withdrawal of weapons through agreed-upon dismantling.
- What is Hamas’ stance on disarmament? Although Hamas has agreed to discuss disarmament, it claims no detailed or concrete proposal has been presented by the US or mediators.
- How heavily armed is Hamas? According to Israel’s UN ambassador, Hamas possesses thousands of rockets, anti-tank missiles, and tens of thousands of Kalashnikov rifles, totaling around 60,000 assault rifles.
- What role will international observers play in Gaza’s demilitarization? International independent observers will supervise the process, ensuring adherence to agreed-upon dismantling and buyback program support.
- What is the International Stabilization Force for Gaza? This force will establish control and stability in Gaza, enabling Israel’s Defense Forces to withdraw based on agreed standards, milestones, and timelines linked to demilitarization.
