Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warns that Hamas will face an ultimatum to disarm, with the IDF poised to occupy Gaza if the militant group refuses to comply.

JERUSALEM: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared that the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas will soon be given an ultimatum to lay down its weapons and completely demilitarise Gaza.

Smotrich, a far-right member of Israel’s security cabinet, stated in an interview with public broadcaster Kan that the IDF would have international legitimacy and American backing to act if Hamas does not comply.

“The IDF will definitely enter and occupy Gaza if Hamas does not disband,” the minister said, adding that the military is already preparing plans for such an operation.

He revealed that the military is currently examining two or three alternatives for how to carry out the occupation if the ultimatum is ignored.

This warning comes during the second phase of a US-sponsored ceasefire, which officially began last month and plans for a gradual Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas.

The militant group has vehemently opposed the disarmament clause of the peace plan, which also calls for a 20,000-strong International Stabilisation Force.

When asked how the Israeli army would operate with foreign peacekeepers deployed, Smotrich claimed the latter would “pull out very quickly and allow the IDF to enter,” stating this was coordinated with the Americans.

He added, however, that he did not yet see the international force entering Gaza “that fast”.

Under the first phase of the ceasefire, which halted two years of fighting, the Israeli army withdrew to positions behind a so-called Yellow Line but still controls over half of the territory.

 The Sun Malaysia