Israel issues final ultimatum to Hamas – report

With Trump’s backing, Israel gives Hamas a deadline for disarming, warning that the IDF is preparing to restart Gaza war if the terror group refuses.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel has issued a final ultimatum to the Hamas terror organization, according to a report published by Channel 12 News over the weekend, giving the Gaza group two months to disarm or face a resumption of hostilities with Israel.

On Friday, President Donald Trump formally launched the Gaza Board of Peace, a day after a Palestinian technocratic committee – dubbed the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza – was tapped to manage the civil administration of the Gaza Strip.

A day later, Channel 12 News cited an Israeli security official who said that Jerusalem has notified Hamas leaders that now that the US has moved forward with the implementation of phase two of the Gaza plan, including the establishment of an apparatus for managing Gaza and administering aid, Hamas will have two months to surrender its arsenal or be forcibly disarmed by Israel.

“Hamas has been given about two months to disarm itself, starting from the moment the technocratic government and Board of Peace were established – otherwise we will act unilaterally,” the official said.

“The IDF is already drawing up plans and preparing” for a new possible Gaza campaign,” the source added.

According to Channel 12‘s Almog Boker, Israel’s ultimatum was issued with the support of the Trump administration, which has also warned Hamas that it could face a resumption of the Gaza war if it persists in its refusal to disarm.

While Israel has raised concerns regarding phase two of the Gaza plan, including reservations regarding the Palestinian technocratic committee and the possible insertion of international peacekeeping forces into Gaza, the Israeli military has warned that Hamas has used delays in implementing phase two to rebuild its forces and reassert its control over the population of Gaza.

Continuing the deadlock much longer, Israel fears, would only enable Hamas to further reconstitute its capabilities, making an eventual ground operation more difficult.