Axios: Trump Administration Seeks to Leverage Crisis of Hamas Militants Trapped in Tunnels to Develop Disarmament Model

Axios reported, citing US officials, that the Donald Trump administration is looking to exploit the crisis of Hamas militants trapped in Gaza tunnels to develop a potential model for the peaceful disarmament of the movement.

Details of the US Proposal

• Strategic Goal: Washington aims to develop a disarmament model, and Turkey's intelligence chief has joined the mediation efforts at the US request to narrow the gap in differences.

• Key Proposal: The Trump administration presented Israel with a proposal stipulating:

  • Hamas militants surrender themselves and their weapons to a third party.

  • Israel grants amnesty to the militants, provided they do not return to military activity.

  • Tunnels are destroyed, and militants are later transferred to areas under Hamas control.

• Israeli Demands: Israeli officials indicated that allowing safe passage for some fighters is conditioned on the return of the body of soldier Hadar Goldin.

Israeli Stance and Reservations

• Hardline Position: A US official described the Israeli position as "hardline as usual," despite cooperation with Washington, confirming that Israel does not currently agree to all elements of the proposal.

• Available Options: An Israeli official stated that the fate of Hamas fighters trapped in the Rafah tunnels is either death or surrender and detention.

• US Warning: A US official urged Israel not to allow a "tactical issue like the Rafah crisis to undermine a strategic goal like a Gaza agreement."