Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated on Monday, February 23rd that the Hamas terrorist organization may soon be given a deadline to lay down its weapons.
We estimate that in the coming days, Hamas will be given an ultimatum to disarm and completely demilitarise Gaza.… If it does not comply, the IDF will have the international legitimacy and American backing to carry it out itself. The IDF is already preparing for this and is finalizing its operational plans.
Under the first phase of a U.S.-sponsored ceasefire in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces withdrew to positions behind the so-called “Yellow Line.”
The second phase, which officially commenced last month, outlines a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army in exchange for the disarmament of Hamas—a plan that the terrorist organization has vehemently opposed.
