Fighters from the Ezzeddine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, participate in an anti-Israeli military parade in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Nov. 11, 2019. (Credit: Said Khatib/AFP archives)
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Hamas would give up weapons, a step the militants have not confirmed, in what would be a major step forward in a fragile cease-fire with Israel.
"A lot of people said they'll never disarm. It looks like they're going to disarm," Trump told a Cabinet meeting.
Trump hailed cooperation with Hamas, considered a terrorist group by the United States, after Israeli forces brought back the remains from the last hostage held in Gaza, Ran Gvili.
"They did help us with those bodies, getting them back, and that family is so grateful," Trump said.
Trump had asked for an update on the Middle East from his roving special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who was sitting in the side of the room as cabinet members and media listened.
An upbeat Witkoff voiced high confidence that Hamas would follow through.
"We've got the terrorists out of there, and they're going to demilitarize. They will because they have no choice," Witkoff said.
"They're going to give it up. They're going to give up the AK-47s," he told Trump.
Hamas has said that the return of Gvili's body showed its commitment to the cease-fire, but it has so far not surrendered its weapons.
The group has repeatedly said disarmament is a red line, but it has also suggested it would be open to handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing authority.
Disarmament is a key part of the second phase of the cease-fire plan sealed in October.
A Palestinian technocratic committee has also been set up with a goal of taking over governance in the battered Gaza Strip.
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