Will Hamas disarm itself in ceasefire phase-2 as Netanyahu says phase-1 close to completion? – Firstpost

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the first phase of the US brokered Gaza peace plan is close to completion and stated that the second phase will involve the disarmament of Hamas.  

Netanyahu said that the second phase will be more difficult as it would require consultations and discussions. He said he would discuss it with US President Donald Trump in Washington later this month.  

“We’re about to finish the first stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to make sure that we achieve the same results in the second stage, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.”

The prime minister was speaking at a joint press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Phase two must come now and then phase three must also be considered,” as quoted by The Guardian.  

First phase of ceasefire

During the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 bodies of hostages killed during the war.

The ceasefire was declared on October 10 in which a full blown war was reached at both the sides in which Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children.  

Well, the ceasefire could not bring lasting peace between the two. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be set up under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump.  

Hamas to disarm

Netanyahu in his remarks on Sunday emphasises that Hamas is supposed to disarm. “I think it’s important to make sure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he said.