US President Donald Trump claimed during a cabinet meeting that "it looks like" Hamas is going to disarm
By Sammy,
US President Donald Trump claimed during a cabinet meeting that "it looks like" Hamas is going to disarm, though he offered no evidence for the assertion and Hamas officials continued to publicly reject the idea even in recent hours.
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff echoed the message, insisting Hamas will demilitarize because it has "no choice," and saying the group will ultimately give up its weapons, including its rifles.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz provided new details about a proposed international weapons "buy-back" initiative that Washington plans to advance, under which participants could reportedly receive funding, jobs, and amnesty in exchange for turning over weapons. Arab diplomats have said ceasefire mediators are also discussing a broader decommissioning plan that would have Hamas gradually hand over its arms, beginning with heavy weaponry. Israel is unlikely to accept a phased approach that focuses on heavy weapons first while leaving lighter weapons in place, since those have also been used by Hamas to maintain control in Gaza.
During the same meeting, Trump also praised what he said was Hamas's help in locating the bodies of the last deceased hostages still held in Gaza, a claim Israel has not confirmed. He suggested that cooperation between Israel and Hamas played a major role in bringing the hostages home.
Topics: Gaza, Diplomacy
Reported by Sammy for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.