Smotrich Threatens Full Occupation of Gaza if Hamas Refuses Disarmament
This ultimatum follows an announcement by Israeli Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs on February 16, 2026, stating that at the request of the U.S. administration, Israel has granted Hamas a 60-day window to disarm completely. Smotrich asserted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have already finalized multiple operational plans to "complete the mission" through a large-scale military offensive if the group does not comply.
The threat comes amidst the backdrop of a U.S.-backed ceasefire that has been in place since October 2024, following a two-year conflict. The second phase of this agreement, which began in mid-January 2026, explicitly addresses the disarmament of Palestinian factions. Smotrich emphasized that Israel is giving Hamas a final opportunity to disarm under international pressure, but he warned that Israel would not hesitate to move past international peacekeeping forces to ensure its security. This stance reflects a growing rift within the Israeli cabinet and between Israel and international observers regarding the long-term governance of the territory.
In response, Hamas has officially rejected the 60-day ultimatum, labeling the threats as "political theater" for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s domestic base. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi stated that the group has not been formally notified of such a deadline through official negotiation channels and characterized the remarks as "mere threats with no basis in ongoing talks." Hamas remains firm in its position, proposing that weapons be "stored or frozen" rather than surrendered, and has accused Israel of using the ultimatum as a pretext to derail the current ceasefire and pursue permanent annexation.
The situation is further complicated by President Donald Trump’s recently unveiled "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict," discussed at the inaugural Board of Peace summit in Washington on February 19. The Trump plan proposes a 20,000-member International Stabilization Force (ISF), composed of troops from countries like Indonesia, Morocco, and Albania, to oversee a multi-billion dollar reconstruction project dubbed the "Gaza Riviera." However, Smotrich and other hardline ministers have expressed deep skepticism toward foreign security forces, maintaining that only direct Israeli military control can prevent the resurgence of armed groups in the region.
