Israel, US agree Hamas weapons will go to US-led ISF for destruction, not to Palestinian government

Israel and the United States have reached an understanding that weapons surrendered by Hamas will be destroyed by the US-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) during the initial phase of disarmament. This arrangement, rather than transferring the weapons to the proposed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), aims to provide a verifiable mechanism for removing Hamas's arsenal and preventing its diversion.

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The understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials from the Board of Peace, which was also attended by senior Israeli security officials, the source said.

This understanding emerged from a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior members of the US Board of Peace, including Jared Kushner and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The discussions also involved top Israeli security officials and government advisors. Officials familiar with the talks indicated that reconstruction efforts in Gaza will only commence after Hamas has been completely disarmed throughout the Strip.

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The arrangement is intended to provide a verifiable mechanism for removing Hamas's weapons and to prevent them from being transferred to another Palestinian authority without first being destroyed.

Furthermore, Israel reiterated its commitment to continuing targeted operations against Hamas. Officials clarified that no decision has been made to halt targeted killings or to reduce Israeli troop levels in Gaza as part of the current framework. The Israeli stance emphasizes that disarmament must precede reconstruction and any changes to its military posture in the region.

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The Israeli side also made clear that reconstruction in Gaza will not begin until Hamas has been fully disarmed throughout the Strip, according to the officials.