Trump Demands Hamas Disarmament as Peace Council Prepares to Meet

WASHINGTON. – U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded the total and immediate demilitarization of Hamas as a prerequisite for any political and security solution in the Gaza Strip. This demand, expressed firmly through his social networks, sets the tone for the inaugural session of the Peace Council scheduled for this Thursday in Washington.

For President Trump, Hamas’s commitment to absolute disarmament is non-negotiable and represents the essential first step for executing his reconstruction plan for the enclave. This stance aligns with a key demand from Israel, which maintains that long-term stability depends on the definitive dismantling of the armed wing of the Palestinian organization.

The Peace Council: A Recent Regional Order?

The Peace Council, an international organization presided over by Trump, is intended to materialize this new regional order. While the council includes regional powers such as Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, traditional Western allies are maintaining a cautious distance. Some European governments express concern that the new entity may be a tool to bypass the UN Security Council and reconfigure the system of international relations under direct U.S. Leadership.

International Stabilization Force and Indonesian Contribution

The strategy to ensure the end of Hamas’s armed activity includes the creation of an international stabilization force. According to statements from the U.S. President, member states of the council have pledged to send thousands of troops for security and surveillance tasks, supporting the local police in the devastated territory. Indonesia is leading the way, formalizing a specific military contribution to the plan.

The Indonesian Army is preparing a brigade of 8,000 soldiers for deployment by the end of June. The schedule includes rigorous health checks and administrative procedures throughout February, with an advance team of 1,000 troops expected to arrive in the area in April. However, the Indonesian government clarifies that its role is strictly humanitarian, focusing on civilian protection and medical services, with no involvement in direct combat against armed groups.

Reconstruction Costs and Ongoing Violence

The logistical and economic challenge in the Gaza Strip is immense after more than two years of conflict. The Peace Council has initially committed $5 billion for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. However, this aid is significantly less than the estimated cost of necessary work: the UN, the World Bank, and the European Union estimate the total cost at $70 billion.

The fragility of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire last October is reflected in the continued violence in contact zones. Despite the agreement, Israeli air raids and gunfire near military areas have resulted in the deaths of more than 590 Palestinians, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed in attacks by Palestinian militias in the same period.

Tensions in the West Bank

The path to peace proposed by Trump also faces strong tensions in the West Bank. Encouraged by far-right ministers, Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet recently approved a land registration process in the occupied territories. This measure, described by the Palestinian Authority as a de facto annexation, seeks to consolidate Israeli control over areas Palestinians claim for a future independent state.

While Trump expresses his rejection of a formal annexation of the West Bank, his administration has not imposed limits on the expansion of Israeli settlements, a policy considered illegal by the highest UN court and which threatens the viability of any two-state solution.