Israel presents Kushner with detailed plan to disarm Hamas in Gaza

Israel has handed US envoy Jared Kushner a detailed plan outlining mechanisms for disarming Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to sources, Israel called for a gradual process starting in specific areas, insisting on its supervision and participation at every stage of implementation.

Sources cited by Al Arabiya said Israel requested the removal of mid-level Hamas military leaders from Gaza, as well as the establishment of a "sufficient" buffer zone within the territory. Israel reportedly made clear it would not negotiate over the size of this buffer zone.

Hamas response and plan details

For its part, Hamas on Tuesday affirmed its commitment to the US-backed peace plan. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told AFP that the group remains committed to the agreed path, but noted that Israel has yet to provide mediators with a clear approval of the roadmap.

These developments followed talks between Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused on the next phase of the peace plan, particularly the disarmament of Hamas.

Kushner's remarks and US oversight

In comments to Fox News from Tel Aviv, Kushner expressed hope for progress within about 30 days, including the initial withdrawal of some Hamas weapons under the supervision of a US officer, to be followed by tunnel demolition operations over the next 60 to 90 days. He added that rapid progress is possible but depends on cooperation from both sides.

Kushner also revealed he held extensive meetings with Netanyahu and his team, describing them as "very good," along with talks with Hamas officials in Egypt. He acknowledged the difficulty of trusting Hamas, but described the meeting with the group’s representatives as "very cordial."

Israeli agreements and conditions

An Israeli official told AFP that Kushner and Netanyahu agreed there would be no redeployment or reconstruction in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. The official said the first step would be to require Hamas to surrender its weapons under US supervision, paving the way for their removal from service.

Meanwhile, an official from Kushner's accompanying "Peace Council" did not confirm the formal appointment of a US officer, but said any seized weapons would be fully dismantled to prevent reuse, with Israel retaining its full right to self-defense.

It is worth noting that the Palestinian group agreed in late July to a US roadmap launching the second phase of the peace plan, which calls for disarming Hamas and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the territory, of which Israel controls more than 60 percent. Netanyahu has insisted on the need for the "complete" disarmament of Hamas.

These developments come amid intensified US-Israeli contacts over implementing the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, with the disarmament of Hamas remaining one of the most contentious issues among the parties.