US Secretary of State calls for Hamas disarmament amid Gaza truce talks
Officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey—key mediators in the truce—joined US envoys, including Steve Witkoff, in discussions on advancing the ceasefire, which began in October following the release of hostages. Rubio described that initial agreement as a “miracle” but acknowledged ongoing challenges from all sides.
The second phase of the ceasefire calls for Israel to withdraw from its Gaza positions, the establishment of an interim authority to govern the territory instead of Hamas, and the deployment of an international stabilization force. Rubio stressed that the process cannot succeed without disarming Hamas.
“If Hamas is ever in a position in the future that they can threaten or attack Israel, you're not going to have peace,” he said. “That's why disarmament is so critical.”
Hamas officials, however, insisted on retaining weapons, with Gaza chief Khalil Al Hayya asserting the group’s “legitimate right” to arms. Another official called for an end to what they described as Israeli truce violations.
Rubio also expressed optimism about nations contributing troops to the stabilization force, highlighting offers from Pakistan and Indonesia, although Israel opposes Turkish involvement.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defense reported five people killed in Israeli shelling of a shelter, raising Palestinian fatalities in the territory to 400 since the ceasefire began. Israel also accused Hamas of violations, including the deaths of three Israeli soldiers since October 10.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged the international community to apply “real and effective pressure” to halt ongoing ceasefire breaches. Hamas called for increased humanitarian aid access into Gaza.
The ceasefire’s third phase will focus on reconstruction of areas devastated by Israel’s retaliatory campaign following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks, while earlier phases included the release of hostages, with only one remaining unreleased.
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