Yedioth Ahronoth: The Disarmament Operation of Hamas and Factions Begins Next March

Translation by SadaNews - The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Thursday evening that the operation to disarm Hamas and the Palestinian factions in Gaza is set to begin in March.

The newspaper stated, as translated by SadaNews, that if progress is not made in the disarmament plan, the Israeli army will have to enter the Gaza Strip, and there will be no room for hesitation in this matter.

The newspaper quoted sources from the Peace Council and its executive committee, saying that there is an urgent need to start the disarmament process and move forward with the plan, indicating that if the movement does not accept this, the Israeli army will intervene by force.

A senior official in the Peace Council said: "The specific details for the transfer of weapons are still under study, but the operation is supposed to start during March."

The sources believe that if the disarmament of the Gaza Strip is not achieved, along with the steps outlined by the Peace Council, Hamas will continue to strengthen its power in Gaza, and if that is the case, and the movement does not fulfill its obligations, the Israeli army will have to respond.

The sources added: "The Israeli army must be prepared and ready, and this should not be just through statements and slogans… It is good for them to see the forces ready and prepared as we have seen in the past, and it is quite clear that if Hamas refuses and does not make progress, the alternative will be military and in the hands of the Israeli army."

Regarding Hamas collecting taxes on aid trucks and goods entering Gaza, the sources said, as translated by SadaNews: "As the plan progresses, control over the trucks will be enforced, and the taxes will not go to Hamas but to the technocratic committee."

As for the fate of Hamas employees who will work in the civil sector, the sources said that the Peace Council has accurate information that includes names and other databases related to them, which are substantial, and anyone registered in them will not be able to work in the civil police or the forces that will take responsibility there.

Those sources confirmed, as translated by SadaNews, that Turkey and Qatar are present due to their extensive influence over Hamas and to pressure them. They stated: "This situation may not be ideal from Israel's perspective, but from Trump's perspective, who formed the Peace Council, it is crucial for some members of the council to be influential figures over Hamas, and for Hamas to relinquish its weapons and step aside, states like Turkey and Qatar must be involved."