President Donald Trump's initiative for the postwar reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, spearheaded by the Board of Peace, has hit a significant roadblock due to Hamas's recalcitrance regarding disarmament.
The Board of Peace, established by the U.S. administration, issued a 15-point Roadmap on Friday outlining a plan to disarm Hamas and allied terrorist groups, a move Trump hailed as a "monumental step" for both Israelis and Palestinians. The initiative is led by Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, who acknowledged the difficult task ahead, emphasizing the need for "real" implementation and verification.
The Roadmap proposes key milestones for both Israel and Hamas, including a phased withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza. It also envisions replacing Hamas's rule with a technocratic government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by Gaza-born engineer Dr. Ali Shaath. An International Stabilization Force would monitor compliance, facilitate humanitarian aid, and train Palestinian law enforcement, working towards the goal of "One Authority, One Law, One Weapon."
This framework aims to transform Gaza into a "deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors," as stated in Trump's October peace plan.
However, Hamas's response to the Roadmap has been unencouraging. Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas negotiator, described the plan as "difficult and painful" and has already sought to alter its provisions. Hamas is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the IDF to pre-ceasefire positions, which would allow the group time to rearm and recruit. Furthermore, Hamas insists that any surrendered weapons be placed under the control of the Palestinian Authority, rather than an international body.
Analysts suggest that Hamas views disarmament as a critical threat, as its military capabilities are central to its power. Without its weapons, the group is considered a "paper tiger."
While the U.S. and its allies remain firm on the need for Hamas to disarm, the success of the plan hinges on an effective enforcement mechanism. The current proposal suggests that the IDF would be the primary force responsible for enforcing disarmament and protecting Israel's security, with international forces focusing on monitoring, aid, and training.
However, there is concern that any roadmap limiting Israel's ability to act decisively against a rearming Hamas could undermine the security it intends to establish. The effectiveness of a deradicalization strategy is also considered crucial. Decades of anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment within Palestinian education and society need to be addressed. Schools, religious institutions, and media must cease glorifying terrorism and teaching hatred of Jews and Israel.
Without sustained deradicalization efforts, Hamas could potentially regroup and mobilize a new generation of terrorists. Trump's original peace plan recognized the imperative of deradicalization, which must be a central pillar of the implementation strategy.
The current plan is not presented as a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, given Hamas's continued stated goal of eliminating Israel. Instead, it aims to separate the two sides while safeguarding Israel's security and offering Palestinians in Gaza a stake in their future. The ultimate success of the initiative depends on Israel retaining the freedom to enforce Hamas's disarmament and on uprooting the underlying ideology that sustains Hamas. Failure to address these aspects could lead to a return to conflict.