US: Disarming Hamas Includes Internationally Funded Buyback Program

SadaNews - The United States informed the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that the disarmament of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip will occur through an agreed-upon process "supported by an internationally funded buyback program."

The Palestinian movement controls just under half of the Gaza Strip following a ceasefire agreement reached in October, mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement links the withdrawal of Israeli forces from more territory to Hamas relinquishing its weapons.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Wallace, stated that the United States, along with 26 countries that have joined the so-called Trump-led Peace Council, in consultation with the Palestinian National Committee overseen by the council, will pressure Hamas to disarm.

Wallace told the Security Council: "Hamas must have no role in governing Gaza, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever."

He added: "All military, terrorist, and offensive infrastructure will be destroyed, including tunnels and weapons production facilities, and they will not be rebuilt," as reported by Reuters.

Wallace explained: "Independent international monitors will oversee the disarmament process in Gaza to include permanently placing weapons out of use through an agreed-upon process for withdrawing them from service, supported by an internationally funded buyback and reintegration program."