The cabinet secretary and close associate of Benjamin Netanyahu, Yossi Fuchs, warned that Hamas will have a 60-day deadline to proceed with complete disarmament, otherwise Israel will return to military operations in the Gaza Strip. Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem, Fuchs mentioned that the American administration of Donald Trump requested this specific 60-day period and “we respect it.” During this timeframe, as he emphasized, Hamas “must surrender all its weapons,” including rifles.
“Their AK-47s will be completely removed,” he noted characteristically, adding that it is not yet clear when the 60-day period will begin, though estimating it might start with the Peace Council Conference scheduled for Thursday.
“We will assess it,” he stated. “If it works, then everything will be excellent. If not, then the Israeli Defense Forces will have to complete their mission,” he continued. Fuchs also mentioned that it is a “logical assessment” that before potential Israeli elections that could be held in June, Hamas will either have surrendered its weapons or the Israeli army will be in the midst of an intensive military campaign in Gaza. Meanwhile, he noted that there are many underground tunnels that need to be destroyed as part of the process, “and from our side.”
Referring to Kibbutz Be’eri, on the border with Gaza, which was attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023, he stated: “Today, whoever plows the fields in Be’eri can see the sea. In the Gaza Strip, very few buildings remain standing, but the work is not yet completed.”
The Commission calls on Israel to withdraw West Bank measures
The European Union called on Israel to withdraw new property ownership measures that strengthen its control over the West Bank, speaking of a “new escalation” in the region.
The Israeli decision “constitutes a new escalation (…). We remind that the annexation (of the West Bank) is illegal under international law. We call on Israel to withdraw this decision,” said European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni.
Furthermore, a European Commission spokesperson stated that EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica will travel to Washington this week to attend a Peace Council meeting, as established by US President Donald Trump, in an observer capacity.
“The EU Commission is not becoming a member of the peace council, we are participating in this meeting precisely because of our long-term commitment to implementing the ceasefire in Gaza, as well as to take part in international efforts to support reconstruction and post-war recovery in Gaza,” Guillaume Mercier told reporters.
Trump on Peace Council: $5 billion for Gaza – Hamas must honor its commitment to complete demilitarization
The American president stated, days ago, visibly satisfied with the results of the first Gaza Peace Council conference, announcing on Truth Social that participating states committed to providing five billion dollars to end the war in the region and rebuild it.
The American president also announced that on February 19, a new meeting with Peace Council members will take place at the Donald Trump Peace Institute in Washington, where official announcements for implementing the first part of the plan will be made.
Donald Trump emphasized that Hamas must honor its commitment to complete and immediate demilitarization in the region, in order to maintain security and peace.
