Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) issued a stark warning on Sunday regarding the ongoing rearmament of Hamas in Gaza. During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” he asserted that the militant group is “absolutely not” ready to disarm and expressed concern that both the United States and Israel are not sufficiently advancing the ceasefire agreement established in October 2023.
Graham emphasized the necessity of disarming Hamas for achieving stability in Gaza, stating, “You can’t have a stabilizing force in Gaza until Hamas is disarmed.” He urged President Donald Trump to engage in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the disarmament of the group.
Meeting in Tel Aviv Highlights Concerns
On Saturday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar concluded a 30-minute meeting with Graham in Tel Aviv, where they addressed the current situation in Gaza and the future of the region. Sa’ar later posted on X, underscoring that “the reconstruction of Gaza and a better future for Gaza will be possible only if Hamas disarms.” He reiterated that Hamas is not disarming, stating, “Unfortunately, Hamas is trying to consolidate its power in Gaza, not give it up.”
Graham’s visit to Israel includes a two-day trip ahead of Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with Trump in Florida next week. He remarked, “What did I learn on this trip? That Hamas is not disarming. They’re rearming. Hamas is not abandoning power. They’re consolidating power.” He referenced insights from Israeli military intelligence and U.S. officials, affirming the grim reality that Hamas intends to maintain its authority.
The Path Forward for Peace
Graham proposed that the U.S. and Israel consider imposing a deadline on Hamas, threatening to “unleash Israel on them” if the group does not agree to surrender its weapons and commit to not rearming. He stated, “The one thing I want people to understand from this program today is that there is no pathway forward to peace as long as Hamas has their arms and they intend to stay in power.”
The ongoing conflict, which escalated significantly when Hamas initiated hostilities on October 7, 2023, has resulted in widespread destruction and involvement from Iranian proxies across the region. Since the ceasefire agreement, which led to a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas quickly reestablished its presence. Reports indicate that its police forces have resumed patrolling, and its fighters have executed opponents, while officials have imposed fees on imported goods.
Despite suffering significant losses over two years of conflict, including the elimination of senior commanders and a reduction in its weaponry, Hamas still controls less than half of Gaza’s territory, with Israeli forces occupying the remainder. According to Israeli security officials and an unnamed Arab intelligence source, Hamas has successfully regained authority in the region.
Shalom Ben Hanan, a former high-ranking official with Israel’s domestic intelligence service, characterized the group’s status succinctly: “Hamas was hit hard, but it wasn’t defeated. It’s still standing.”
The complex dynamics in Gaza reveal both the challenges of achieving lasting peace and the urgent need for decisive actions regarding Hamas’ military capabilities. As Graham and other leaders emphasize the need for disarmament, the path to stability remains fraught with obstacles.
