It’s unbelievable—almost incomprehensible. Ahead of Phase Two of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan to clear the rubble and rebuild, Hamas was required to disarm and leave. Instead, they’re now saying they want to retain political control of Gaza—perhaps not as a military force, but as a governing entity. That is unacceptable. Israel has made it unequivocally clear: there will be no Hamas involvement in Gaza’s administration under any circumstances. Period.

We will not enter into any economic or reconstruction agreement that leaves murderous terrorists embedded in the governing structure. Hamas is refusing to transfer control to the technocratic body being discussed under Trump’s proposed “board of peace” framework. They’re suggesting partial disarmament while remaining in power. It’s absurd. They’ve even floated the idea to Arab states of modeling themselves after Hezbollah in Lebanon—maintaining political authority with residual military strength. After everything we’ve endured, that’s a nonstarter.

We’ve been fighting this war too long to settle for half-measures. Gaza must be fully demilitarized.

Indonesia has set a timeline to deploy troops to Gaza. Trump says over $5 billion has been pledged for reconstruction, though initial expectations were higher. The United States has committed $1 billion. Gideon Sa’ar will represent Israel on the peace council, and Israel has now officially joined the board after initial hesitation.

On Sunday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined three clear war objectives at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations: Return the hostages, Dismantle Hamas militarily, Remove Hamas from governing Gaza.

The first goal is largely achieved, but the mission isn’t over. Hamas has openly refused to surrender its weapons. They reportedly possess tens of thousands of AK-47s, and they must all be removed. Roughly half of Gaza is under Israeli military control, yet hundreds of kilometers of tunnels still need to be destroyed. Demilitarization must be total.

Israel is willing to give President Trump’s plan a chance—but only if it’s implemented as intended. Hamas cannot retain power while pretending to disarm. That illusion is over.

Netanyahu also outlined four nonnegotiable pillars for any deal with Iran: remove all enriched nuclear material, dismantle enrichment capabilities, eliminate ballistic missile threats, and dismantle Iran’s terror network. Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid indicated that if the U.S. strikes Iran, they would consider assisting Tehran. The world is increasingly volatile.

As for the proposed board of peace, about 30 nations are involved, but only four— the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait—have signaled commitments of $1 billion each toward permanent membership.

We know the cost of this war—to families, businesses, finances, and lives. But Gaza must never again pose a threat to the State of Israel.

Isaiah 54:17 says: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.” This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, says the Lord.