Prime Minister Netanyahu. (X Screenshot)
After Hamas hints it will not surrender its weapons, Netanyahu warns Israel may need to forcibly disarm the terror group.
By World Israel News Staff
The war in the Gaza Strip against Hamas may resume if the terror group refuses to disarm voluntarily, Israel’s prime minister warned after the return of all 20 living hostages.
On Tuesday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on CBS News to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and the prospects for an enduring peace in the region under President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan.
Regarding the vote by his government on October 9 to accept the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan – which includes a ceasefire in Gaza, a partial IDF withdrawal, the return of all Israeli hostages and the release of nearly 2,000 jailed Arab terrorists – Netanyahu said Israel had “agreed to give peace a chance,” while emphasizing that hostilities could resume if Hamas violates the deal.
“First, Hamas has to give up its arms,” Netanyahu said. “Second, you want to make sure that there are no weapons factories inside Gaza. There’s no smuggling of weapons into Gaza. That’s demilitarization.”
Under the terms of Trump’s Gaza plan, Hamas’ terror infrastructure in Gaza, including its tunnel networks and weapons manufacturing facilities, “will be destroyed and not rebuilt.”
Furthermore, the plan requires “a process of demilitarization of Gaza…which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use.”
However, Hamas has hinted that it will not surrender its weapons or control of Gaza, as required under the Trump deal.
Senior Hamas terrorist Mahmoud Mardawi declared this week that the group’s backing for the formation of a technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza does not mean Hamas will accept “chaos to rule in our beloved Gaza Strip or allow criminals to escape punishment.”
Should Hamas refuse to disarm, Netanyahu said that the response by Israel would be that “all hell breaks loose,” alluding to Trump’s warning earlier in the day that Hamas would be “violently” disarmed if necessary.
“I hope it doesn’t” happen,” Netanyahu said. “I hope we can do this peacefully. We’re certainly ready to do so.”
According to the ITIC’s assessment, the Lebanese army is both failing to uphold the agreement’s…
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Israeli forces on the successful operation, praising the initiative on…
In dozens of clips, antisemitic far-right commentator Tucker Carlson has repeatedly dodged questions and criticism…
More than 200 mine-like objects were removed, although U.S. officials said only 11 were actual…
Recent UNICEF assessments have indicated lower levels of acute malnutrition among young children.
As the High Holidays inch closer and the time for repentance nears, thousands of Jews…