The discovery of a Hamas weapons cache has reignited concerns over Hamas disarmament, raising doubts as the Trump administration pushes forward with phase two of its Middle East peace plan. Israeli forces uncovered dozens of weapons in an underground depot in southern Gaza, signaling that Hamas may be rearming despite U.S. demands for demilitarization.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, troops found “dozens of weapons,” including “AK-47s, RPGs, and magazines,” near the ceasefire line. The find comes as President Donald Trump warned that Hamas must disarm or “be blown away very quickly.” Speaking to reporters in Davos, Trump said, “They agreed to it, they’ve got to do it,” adding that failure to comply would bring swift consequences.
Israeli military leaders say they are preparing for escalation. IDF chief of staff Eyal Zamir said the military is ready “for the possibility of a surprise war.” U.S. officials involved in the talks acknowledged skepticism, saying Israel remains “skeptical that Hamas will disarm and that the Palestinian people want peace.”
Despite claims from Hamas that its weapons supplies are depleted, public statements suggest otherwise. Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal declared, “The idea of total disarmament is unacceptable to the resistance.” Former Israeli military officer Amir Avivi warned that evidence on the ground shows “Hamas is getting stronger, more and more organized,” calling the situation “not sustainable.”
The Trump plan hinges on Hamas disarmament, with U.S. officials confirming that more than 350 miles of tunnels “will be destroyed” and heavy weapons removed from circulation. However, analysts remain doubtful. Joe Truzman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said disarmament is “the most intractable obstacle to ending the war,” noting that terrorism is “a structural feature of the organization itself.”
