Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Oct 5: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to disarm Hamas “either the easy way or the hard way,” a day after the Palestinian group accepted parts of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace proposal. Netanyahu said Hamas’ demilitarisation would happen through diplomatic means under Trump’s plan or by Israeli military action.
In a video message in Hebrew, Netanyahu made it clear that Israel would not fully withdraw from Gaza — a long-standing demand of Hamas. “Israel’s military will continue to hold territories it controls in Gaza, and Hamas will be disarmed in the plan’s second phase, either diplomatically or militarily. You heard Trump — he will not accept any delay. This will happen, the easy way or the hard way,” he said.
The Israeli leader expressed hope that the release of all hostages held in Gaza could be announced “in the coming days,” as Israel and Hamas prepare for negotiations in Egypt on Monday. “My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, we are on the verge of a very great achievement. This is not final yet, but we are working diligently. I hope that during the holiday of Sukkot, I will be able to announce the return of all our hostages — the living and the dead,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israeli forces would continue operations inside Gaza.
Hamas on Friday night accepted some aspects of Trump’s peace plan, including ending the war, Israel’s withdrawal, exchange of prisoners and hostages, humanitarian aid and reconstruction, and preventing the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. This came after Trump gave the group a strict ultimatum to accept the proposal by Sunday evening (US time) or “face all hell.”
Trump later urged Hamas to “move quickly” and agree to peace with Israel, warning both sides against further escalation. Despite the warning, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed six people — four in Gaza City and two in Khan Younis — according to Reuters.
The US President on Sunday said Israel had agreed to an initial withdrawal line, and once Hamas confirms, a ceasefire would take effect. “After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shared with Hamas. Once Hamas confirms, the ceasefire will be immediately effective, and the hostages and prisoner exchange will begin. This will bring us closer to ending this 3,000-year catastrophe,” Trump said in a statement.