The United States has warned Hamas that any attempt to avoid fully disarming in Gaza could clear the way for a renewed Israeli military response, according to an Israeli media report.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Washington and the US-backed Board of Peace had received Israeli intelligence raising concerns that Hamas may seek to circumvent commitments to surrender its weapons under the Gaza peace plan.
According to the report, US President Donald Trump’s envoy Jared Kushner delivered a direct warning to Hamas representatives during recent talks, telling them that implementation — rather than promises — would be the real test.
Two sources cited by Channel 12 who were present at the meeting said Kushner demanded a clear commitment from Hamas to fully disarm and told the group that if it attempted to evade its obligations, the diplomatic process could collapse.
Kushner was reported to have warned that in such circumstances, Washington and other mediators would not stand in Israel’s way if it decided to act militarily.
The specific remarks reported by Channel 12 have not been independently confirmed. However, Kushner has publicly made Hamas’s disarmament a central condition of the US-backed Gaza roadmap.
He met Hamas representatives in Egypt earlier this month before travelling to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. US officials have said the plan requires Hamas to surrender its weapons and military infrastructure and relinquish any future governing role in Gaza.
Concerns over continued Hamas rule
According to Channel 12, officials involved with the Board of Peace are determined to avoid a return to the situation that existed in Gaza before the current peace process, in which Hamas remained the territory’s dominant political and military force.
Sources cited by the broadcaster said Kushner was particularly focused on Israel’s security while also seeking to protect its international legitimacy.
The officials reportedly believe that if Israel complies with the agreements reached under the US-led process while Hamas fails to fulfil its commitments, Israel would have greater international backing to act against the group.
They described the surrender and decommissioning of Hamas’s weapons as a major potential security achievement.
That position broadly reflects statements made publicly by officials involved in the peace initiative. The current roadmap links further Israeli redeployments and Gaza reconstruction to Hamas’s disarmament, while Israel has retained what officials describe as its right to respond if Hamas rearms or resumes attacks.
Kushner has said progress on removing Hamas weapons could begin within about 30 days, with work to dismantle tunnels potentially following over the subsequent 60 to 90 days.
Israel also warned against undermining plan
The reported message was not directed solely at Hamas.
Channel 12 said Board of Peace officials had also cautioned Israel that if it was seen as deliberately obstructing the US-backed roadmap, it could lose the political credibility and international support needed to change the situation in Gaza.
Such an outcome, officials reportedly warned, could leave the current situation largely intact and allow Hamas to retain influence in the territory.
Hamas leaders have told mediators that they are committed to implementing the peace roadmap, including provisions covering disarmament, according to officials involved in the negotiations.
Hamas has also argued that implementation depends on Israel meeting its own commitments under the agreement, while Netanyahu has insisted there will be no further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.
The dispute over sequencing remains one of the most difficult obstacles facing the US-backed effort to turn the Gaza ceasefire into a longer-term political and security arrangement.
