Israel has reportedly drawn up contingency plans for a renewed ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, as tensions rise over Hamas’ refusal to fully disarm under a US-backed ceasefire framework. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal published on January 11, Israeli officials are preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting if diplomatic efforts fail to compel the Palestinian armed group to lay down its weapons.

The development comes amid a fragile ceasefire that has divided Gaza roughly in half between areas controlled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and territories still under Hamas influence. This arrangement aligns with a 20-point peace roadmap proposed by US President Donald Trump, which envisions Hamas’ complete disarmament followed by a phased Israeli withdrawal from the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) enclave.

However, Israeli and Arab officials cited by the WSJ say that Hamas has shown little willingness to meet the core condition of the plan: surrendering all its weapons. While the group has reportedly indicated it may be open to relinquishing heavy arms, it has refused to give up small arms, including tens of thousands of rifles. Israeli intelligence estimates that Hamas currently possesses around 60,000 firearms, a figure that underscores Israel’s concern about the group’s continued military capability.

Hamas has publicly stated that it remains committed to the ceasefire, despite what it describes as repeated Israeli violations. At the same time, the group has drawn a firm red line on disarmament,........

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