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Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/does-israel-still-have-red-lines-in-gaza/
Hamas's Disarmament Must Be a Red Line for Israel
(Israel Hayom) Prof. Eyal Zisser - On paper, billions of dollars in pledges have been secured for Gaza's reconstruction, and a multinational force is being assembled. Yet it remains doubtful whether any of this will materialize, as it depends on dismantling Hamas's military capabilities. While various international actors speaking on Hamas's behalf say the group will lay down its arms and relinquish control of Gaza, no Hamas official has made such a declaration. In fact, its spokesmen have repeatedly stressed their determination to retain their weapons and their refusal to disarm. Israel must define clear red lines from which it will not retreat, especially regarding the link between Hamas's disarmament and any progress on other issues in Gaza. Israel cannot afford to accept a situation in which Hamas retains its weapons and gradually reestablishes its presence. The writer is a lecturer in the Middle East History Department at Tel Aviv University.