International actors must accept that only the IDF is capable of disarming Hamas, Prof. Kobi Michael told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, mirroring comments he made to The Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy.
The senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) spoke with the Post after four informed diplomats told The New York Times that the Gaza Board of Peace is demanding that Hamas finalize an agreement to demilitarize Gaza by the end of this week. The agreement would see Hamas give up its weapons and disclose the locations of its tunnels.
Representatives from Hamas and the board were anticipated to meet in Cairo on Tuesday.
“If international actors do not ‘buy’ Hamas' games and realize that they have no real intention to disarm, they may come to the conclusion that only the IDF can do this - and thus build international support for such an action,” Michael repeated. “In my opinion, this will be easier and simpler: Hamas is currently weaker, the IDF is more prepared, and most importantly, there is no constraint of hostages in the field.”
Representatives from the board and Hamas met in Cairo on Friday to discuss amendments to the disarmament proposal. According to the NYT report, the agreement would see the remaining surviving terrorists receive amnesty, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a loosening of restrictions on what can enter the Palestinian enclave.
Three Palestinian sources told Reuters last week that Hamas told mediators it will not discuss disarmament without guarantees that Israel will completely quit Gaza.
Michael: No IDF plan to occupy Strip pre-Oct. 7
“I would like to remind you that on October 7, the IDF did not have a plan to occupy the Strip. During two years of fighting, we have gained more experience, and even today, fighting continues along the Yellow Line,” Michael told the Post. “There are daily clashes there with Hamas, which is trying to cross the line, harm IDF soldiers, and continue to strengthen militarily.”
The terror group claimed in a Sunday statement that discussing Hamas's disarmament before the first phase of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal is fully implemented is an attempt to continue "a genocide against the Palestinian people.”
In a televised statement, Hamas' armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida said raising the issue of weapons “in a crude manner” would not be accepted.