Foreign & Public Diplomacy

For months, Hamas’s disarmament has been the biggest sticking point in the stalled Gaza peace process. Major aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan are contingent on Hamas giving up its weapons, and Gaza has remained in a painful limbo since a cease-fire began last October due to the impasse.

For a moment last week, it looked like change might be on the horizon as Hamas agreed to a U.S.-backed framework to lay down its arms. Last Thursday, Trump hailed the agreement, which was orchestrated by his Board of Peace and designed to bring about the full implementation of his 20-point plan, on social media as “HISTORIC” and “a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.” The next day, Trump said that Israel was “very happy” with the agreement.

For months, Hamas’s disarmament has been the biggest sticking point in the stalled Gaza peace process. Major aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan are contingent on Hamas giving up its weapons, and Gaza has remained in a painful limbo since a cease-fire began last October due to the impasse.

For a moment last week, it looked like change might be on the horizon as Hamas agreed to a U.S.-backed framework to lay down its arms. Last Thursday, Trump hailed the agreement, which was orchestrated by his Board of Peace and designed to bring about the full implementation of his 20-point plan, on social media as “HISTORIC” and “a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.” The next day, Trump said that Israel was “very happy” with the agreement.

But it’s evident that that’s far from the case.

In the days since, Israel has expressed strong opposition to the disarmament roadmap, citing “serious security concerns.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu said on Tuesday that Israel “did not agree” with the framework and won’t withdraw from its “current lines until Hamas is completely disarmed.” Israel has also conducted a series of airstrikes in Gaza since the plan was announced, angering the Board of Peace.

Experts told Foreign Policy that Israel’s position on the disarmament plan is extremely unlikely to change until at least after the country’s highly anticipated elections in October, which could see Netanyahu—Israel’s longest-serving prime minister—lose power.

“The problem is that politically, in Israel, and especially before elections, it’s borderline........

© Foreign Policy