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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hk6i00o7fwg#autoplay
Qatar, Turkey Trying to Dissuade Hamas from Disarming
(Ynet News) Itamar Eichner - According to Israeli officials, Qatar and Turkey - nations that helped negotiate the recent hostage-release deal - are now working to extract Hamas from the requirement to disarm. They are offering alternatives: that Hamas gives up its weapons to the Palestinian Authority (PA) or the weapons are transferred to secure storage under oversight. Israel insists that Hamas must remain weapon-free. According to Israeli officials, both countries are working to prevent a scenario in which Israel can declare a decisive victory over Hamas. Qatar and Turkey reportedly favor a two-year grace period during which Hamas could keep its weapons. The Israeli message is clear: if Hamas isn't disarmed promptly, Israel will act unilaterally to make it so. Officials in Jerusalem believe the issue will be discussed at the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and U.S. President Trump on Dec. 29. Israel is concerned that an international stabilization force (ISF) by itself cannot guarantee dismantling Hamas's military capabilities. The understanding in Jerusalem is that if Israel decides that jihadist groups must not be allowed near its borders - whether in Gaza or on the Golan Heights - the Americans are expected to respect that determination. According to Israeli intelligence assessments, 75% of Gaza's residents no longer support Hamas; while 25% remain loyal. Officials believe that once conditions are right, these 75% may embrace an alternative.