Hamas disarmament dispute slows Gaza peace plan progress

Disagreements over how and when Hamas should disarm have stalled the US‑brokered Gaza peace plan, and Israeli officials have said a U.S. 60‑day deadline for disarmament may be imminent.

Disagreement over the sequencing of Hamas disarmament has stalled progress on the US‑brokered Gaza peace plan. Washington declared the second phase had begun in January and envisaged Hamas disarming, an Israeli drawdown, and a Palestinian interim administration supported by police and an International Stabilisation Force. Israeli ministers have publicly pushed for Hamas to demilitarise first and have said the United States may set a 60‑day deadline, according to reporting. Key points: - Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, are reported to have said a U.S. ultimatum to disarm could arrive in days. - The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) has gathered in Cairo but is described as not yet ready to enter Gaza and is reported to be short of funding and security arrangements. - A report in Israel Hayom said the NCAG would present Hamas in March with a six‑month disarmament plan beginning with heavy weapons; that account cites unnamed sources. - Analysts quoted in the reporting say Hamas is likely to resist handing over weapons and that making disarmament a precondition risks halting phase two and could lead to renewed military operations. Summary: The impasse has paused implementation of the 20‑point plan and left key elements — troop contributors, a police force and an ISF mandate — unresolved. Reports mention a possible U.S. ultimatum in the coming days and a March proposal from the NCAG; otherwise the timeline remains undetermined.