Israeli Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, affirmed on Wednesday that Israel is determined to dismantle the military capabilities of Hamas, describing 2026 as a “critical year” for Israel’s security.
During his inspection of Israeli forces in Gaza, Halevi stated, “2026 will be a critical year concerning the design of the security reality of the State of Israel. We are fully determined to disarm Hamas and the rest of the armed organizations, and we will not allow Hamas to rebuild its capabilities and threaten us.” This came days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the issue during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida.
While receiving Netanyahu, Trump emphasized the necessity of Hamas relinquishing its weapons, saying, “If they don’t give up their weapons – which they’ve agreed to – they’re going to have to pay a very big price.” He added, “They have to give up their weapons within a relatively short period of time.”
In response, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, stressed that it will not give up its weapons “as long as Israel remains,” a stance that shows the extent of the deep disagreement over the future of security arrangements in the Gaza Strip.
The second phase of the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel stipulates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from their positions in Gaza, in exchange for Hamas giving up its weapons, a pivotal point that remains a subject of intense dispute. In this context, a temporary authority is supposed to manage the sector, in parallel with the deployment of an international stabilization force.
Meanwhile, Israel awaits the retrieval of the body of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage body in the sector, before commencing negotiations for the second phase of the agreement, amid anticipation of a complex political and security path that will determine the future of Gaza in the next phase.
