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By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
TEL AVIV – The Israeli government has issued a stark 60-day ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the complete disarmament of the militant group as a non-negotiable condition for the continuation of the current ceasefire. Officials in Jerusalem warned that failure to comply would result in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resuming full-scale military operations across the Gaza Strip.
The “Disarm or War” Directive
The ultimatum, delivered through regional mediators, marks a critical turning point in the fragile peace process brokered late last year. According to senior security sources, the 60-day window is intended for Hamas to surrender its heavy weaponry and dismantle its remaining tunnel infrastructure.
“Israel will not accept a reality where Hamas remains a military force on our borders,” a senior government official stated. “This is the final opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. If the weapons are not handed over, the IDF is fully prepared to achieve disarmament by force.”
Stakes of the Second Phase
The demand comes as the “Gaza Peace Plan”, a multilateral agreement involving the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, moves into its second phase. Key provisions of this stage include:
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Total Demilitarization: The surrender of all rockets, mortars, and manufacturing facilities.
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Security Control: Israel’s insistence on maintaining the “Yellow Line”, a temporary boundary for IDF troops, until verification is complete.
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Reconstruction Freeze: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that no international funds for the rebuilding of Gaza will be released until the territory is verified as demilitarized.
Hamas and International Response
Hamas has reportedly rejected the ultimatum in preliminary statements, calling the demand for disarmament a “violation of the terms” of the initial ceasefire. The group has urged mediators to hold Israel to the phased withdrawal plan without additional preconditions.
Meanwhile, the U.S. administration, led by President Donald Trump, has reportedly backed the pressure on Hamas. The White House recently suggested a “buy-back” program for smaller arms, but emphasized that the group’s “military era” must end.
Domestic Pressure
In Israel, the ultimatum follows months of domestic tension. While the return of the final hostages in January brought a wave of relief, the security establishment remains wary of Hamas’s “firm grip” on parts of central and southern Gaza. Military analysts suggest the IDF has already finalized operational plans for a renewed offensive, which would likely target areas previously bypassed, such as Deir al-Balah and the Mawasi coastal zone.
As the 60-day clock begins to tick, the Middle East stands at a precarious crossroads between a permanent end to hostilities and the most intense round of fighting yet.