US special envoy warns HAMAS to disarm or face Israeli military action

US special envoy Jared Kushner has warned HAMAS that it must fulfil its commitment to disarm in Gaza or risk facing an Israeli military operation with stronger backing from Washington.

Kushner met with HAMAS representatives in Cairo alongside the National Committee, a new technocratic Palestinian administration expected to assume control of Gaza, Caliber.Az reports.

Speaking to Fox News, he said HAMAS reaffirmed its commitment to President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan as well as a separate 15-point roadmap that Washington has been negotiating with the group for the past four months.

Under the proposed roadmap, HAMAS would commit to giving up its weapons.

"Time will tell whether that's going to be implemented," he noted, adding that Washington believes it may be "very close to knowing, and we're making a lot of progress towards trying to get to the next steps."

According to Kushner, HAMAS would face greater international opposition if it failed to honour its pledge.

"If they don't follow through now on their commitment, everyone will see that they're not genuine about peace, and then Israel will have a lot more support from the U.S. and others to go and finish the job in the appropriate way," Kushner stressed.

In his words, the U.S. will give HAMAS another chance to fulfill its commitment.

"They said all the right things, but obviously, it's very, very hard to trust, you know, a terrorist organisation that committed these terrible atrocities," Kushner said. "But we had a very cordial meeting, and they said all the right things, and so we're going to give them a chance to perform.

"It's going to have to be based on actions and steps, and I hope it will be true."

The US-backed "Board of Peace" proposal calls for a phased ceasefire, the demilitarisation of Gaza, an Israeli troop withdrawal, the creation of a Palestinian technocratic administration and international efforts to rebuild the territory.

Israel is demanding full demilitarisation before making further troop withdrawals or permitting reconstruction, while HAMAS insists that Israeli withdrawal and its own disarmament should proceed simultaneously.

Netanyahu, who faces political pressure ahead of Israel's upcoming elections, has appeared cautious about accepting phased concessions.

The conflict began with Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed nearly 1,200 people and resulted in more than 240 others being taken hostage. The war has now continued for nearly three years.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov