US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview with Fox News, has provided significant updates regarding Washington's proposed plan for Gaza, emphasizing that the disarmament of Hamas is a prerequisite for the project's implementation.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Rubio underscored the necessity of the group laying down its weapons for the plan to function effectively.
"Until this happens, everything will remain uncertain," he stated.
Rubio noted that encouraging signals regarding a disarmament agreement were received over the past weekend. However, he did not specify whether the United States would support Israel in resuming military operations should Hamas fail to disarm.
The Secretary of State added that the core objective is the disarmament of the group and the subsequent transfer of control in Gaza to Palestinian forces, supported by international security personnel. This move is seen as a critical step toward long-term stability in the region, which has faced unprecedented humanitarian challenges since the escalation of the conflict in late 2023.
Conversely, Hamas spokesperson Hazim Qasim stated on April 22 that the demand for disarmament has complicated ongoing negotiations. He argued that prioritizing the surrender of weapons over the initial obligations of the ceasefire agreement contradicts the spirit of ending the war and the vision of US President Donald Trump.
According to Palestinian officials, a Hamas delegation traveled to Cairo on April 2 to monitor the progress of the ceasefire agreement and meet with Egyptian leadership. Data suggests that since the ceasefire was announced, there have been numerous reports of violations in the Gaza Strip. Reports indicate that Israeli strikes have resulted in 786 deaths and 2,217 injuries during this period, with the total death toll since October 2023 reportedly reaching 72,593.
