Israel Conditions Gaza Reconstruction on Complete Disarmament of Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials from the Peace Council, along with Jared Kushner, held in-depth talks on Monday regarding the future of the Gaza Strip. The discussions concluded with an agreement to establish two joint working teams focused on Gaza's disarmament and humanitarian issues. The first team will concentrate on the disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza, a process Israel insists must be completed before any reconstruction efforts begin. The second team will address urgent civilian needs such as sanitation, clean water supply, and public health concerns affecting both Gaza residents and Israelis.

The decision underscores Israel's firm stance that Hamas and other armed groups must relinquish their weapons before large-scale rebuilding of infrastructure and buildings can proceed. This position aligns with Netanyahu's recent demands that Hamas's disarmament precede irreversible steps in Gaza. The Peace Council's official plan also calls for Gaza's demilitarization under independent supervision, including the permanent removal of weapons.

These developments come amid renewed American efforts to advance the next phase of Gaza's recovery plan. Jared Kushner met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem after an unusual meeting with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt. Reports indicate Hamas is willing to consider a disarmament framework but links it to commitments and actions by Israel. Netanyahu, however, insists on completing the disarmament before any Israeli withdrawal.

While the disarmament team will focus on practical steps toward weapon removal, the civilian team will immediately tackle sanitation, water, and health issues without waiting for the political and security process to conclude. This creates a clear separation between urgent humanitarian aid and broader reconstruction, which remains contingent on disarmament. The joint approach reflects a shared position between Israel and the Peace Council that Gaza's rehabilitation cannot begin until the area is fully demilitarized.