Hamas says it will not comply with Israel’s 60-day deadline to disarm. 

On Monday, a senior Hamas official responded to Israel’s demand that Hamas completely disarm within 60 days. “Our position on this matter is very clear,” Basem Naim told Drop Site News. “Before speaking about disarmament or confiscation of weapons, we believe it is necessary for Netanyahu and his extremist government—along with the mediators and the American guarantor—to ensure full implementation of everything agreed upon in the first phase, so that there can be a fundamental change in the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”

The remarks were made in response to Israeli Cabinet Secretary member Yossi Fuchs giving Hamas 60 days to completely disarm. Fuchs, who is one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top advisors, explained that the disarmament must include small arms, and Washington approved of the deadline. 

In October, Hamas and Israel signed a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement that was brokered by President Donald Trump. That deal was intended to lead to a permanent end to the onslaught in Gaza. However, Israel has continued to attack Gaza daily, killing over 600 Palestinians in the first four months of the truce. 

Under the deal, Hamas said it would be willing to disarm as part of the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Since the signing of the agreement, Israel has accelerated the process of annexing the West Bank to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. 

Trump has changed the conditions of the deal and is requiring Hamas to agree to immediately disarm. While the President has claimed Arab states are willing to disarm Hamas, Fuchs said that the IDF will complete the process.