Israeli official says army will remain in Gaza until Hamas disarms; US backing for targeted strikes reported

Israeli security officials said on Wednesday that the military would remain deployed along the so-called “Yellow Line” in Gaza and that reconstruction would not begin unless Hamas relinquishes its weapons, according to Israeli media reports.

An Israeli security official told the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) that Israel does not expect Hamas to voluntarily disarm and would therefore continue military operations against what it considers security threats.

“Israel does not believe that Hamas will relinquish its weapons, and until that happens, the army will continue to thwart threats, will not withdraw from the Yellow Line, and will not begin any steps related to the reconstruction of the Strip,” the official was quoted as saying.

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Israeli security sources also claimed that the US administration had given Israel a “green light” to retain freedom of military action in Gaza, including targeted strikes against individuals Israel considers to pose an immediate threat or to be planning attacks against Israeli forces.

There was no immediate public confirmation from the US administration of the reported authorization.

The comments came amid continuing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. The Israeli military said one strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp targeted a commander in Hamas’s elite forces whom it accused of participating in the 7th October 2023 attacks on Israel.

Israeli aircraft also struck a police facility in Gaza City. Israel said the site contained Hamas field commanders and that the targets included the head of the women’s police force. Palestinian sources reported multiple casualties in the strike.

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