Israel Allegedly Grants Hamas 60 Days to Disarm

Israel’s Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, a senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Hamas will have 60 days to surrender all weapons or Israel will resume military operations in Gaza.

February 17, 2026Clash Report

Israel has granted Hamas a 60-day period to fully disarm, after which the Israeli military will resume operations in Gaza if no progress is made, according to Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs.

Speaking at the Besheva Group conference in Jerusalem, Fuchs said the 60-day framework was requested by U.S. President Donald Trump and that Israel is “respecting” the request.

“All Weapons Must Be Surrendered”

Fuchs stated that during the 60-day window, Hamas “will have to give up all of its weapons,” explicitly including rifles and AK-47s, which he said “will be taken from them entirely.”

He added that he is not certain when the countdown officially begins, suggesting it could coincide with Thursday’s Board of Peace conference.

“We will evaluate it,” Fuchs said. “If it works, great. If not, then the IDF will have to complete the mission.”

Elections Timeline and Military Scenario

Fuchs described it as a “reasonable estimate” that before potential Israeli elections, which could be held in June, Hamas will either have disarmed or the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will be engaged in an intensive military campaign in Gaza.

He also noted that numerous tunnels would need to be destroyed as part of any comprehensive security arrangement, adding that this process involves action “on our side as well.”

Netanyahu’s Position on Weapons

Separately addressing a conference, Netanyahu argued that there are no heavy weapons currently in Gaza and said the most significant remaining arms are rifles, which must be fully surrendered.

Ceasefire Uncertainty Deepens

The 60-day disarmament claim has intensified uncertainty over the future of the Gaza ceasefire. Prior to Fuchs’ remarks, no official confirmation had been given regarding a finalized timeline tied to U.S. mediation efforts following the February 11 meeting between Trump and Netanyahu at the White House.

Attention now turns to whether Hamas will respond to the proposed timeline — and whether the temporary diplomatic window will prevent a renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza.