All articles tagged with #disarmament
The United Nations Security Council is urged to press Hamas to disarm using every available diplomatic means, reflecting renewed international focus on disarmament amid ongoing Gaza tensions and after recent Israeli strikes; the piece situates the call within long-running Middle East peace efforts led by UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov and highlights the human impact in Gaza.
The Board of Peace plans to urge the United Nations Security Council to press Hamas to disarm as part of its Gaza-focused diplomacy, a push tied to its Davos-era peace initiative and ongoing regional discussions.
Lebanon released two Hezbollah operatives on bail after a month in detention for violating its arms restrictions, with bail set at 100 million Lebanese pounds (about $1,120). The suspects reportedly admitted transporting 21 Grad missiles, 3,000 rounds of ammunition, and eight machine guns from the Bekaa Valley to southern Lebanon to confront the IDF. The move comes amid ongoing tensions over disarming Hezbollah and drew protests from pro-Hezbollah lawyers; Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized Hezbollah’s attack that preceded the arms ban, while think tanks argued the Lebanese state remains unwilling or unable to disarm the group.
Hamas rejected the US-led Board of Peace's disarmament plan for Gaza, demanding modifications and accusing mediator Nickolay Mladenov of pro-Israel bias; the group says it will not disarm and wants Israel to fulfill Phase I obligations before Phase II talks, as the BoP deadline expired and other factions criticized the plan.
Israel’s IDF released statistics alleging Hezbollah fired about 3,000 mortars and missiles from near the Litani River since the operation began, refuting Lebanon’s Jan. 8, 2026 claim that Hezbollah had been disarmed in southern Lebanon; the IDF calls the Lebanese claim a lie and says Hezbollah has reinforced its forces and can move south via bridges and crossings, undermining the LAF’s disarmament effort.
AP reports that Hamas is weighing a plan to disarm armed groups in Gaza, a move seen by mediators as potentially unlocking international aid and a path to reconstruction, though the proposal faces political and security hurdles as talks continue.
US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace presented Hamas with a written plan on laying down its weapons, delivered during Cairo meetings. The proposal contemplates amnesty for Hamas and targeted investments in Gaza in exchange for full decommissioning of heavy and light weapons, though Hamas has shown skepticism and Israel demands complete disarmament. The framework aims to advance Gaza reconstruction, but funding and acceptance remain uncertain, and talks have been paused since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Lebanon’s prime minister Nawaf Salam banned Hezbollah’s military activities, restricting the group to the political sphere and ordering security forces to prevent attacks from Lebanese soil, after Iran-linked Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel and Israel retaliated with air raids on Beirut that killed more than 30 people and injured hundreds. Hezbollah says it acted in defense of Lebanon; the move comes amid Lebanon’s broader push to disarm the group and avert further escalation as the country grapples with economic and political crises, with phased disarmament efforts already underway.
The New START treaty—the last major cap on U.S.–Russia strategic nuclear arsenals—expires, potentially removing verifiable limits on warheads and delivery systems. Lawmakers warn this could spark a dangerous and costly arms race, while negotiators explore a possible extension or a new agreement to preserve some restraint on nuclear forces.
New START, the last US‑Russia nuclear-arms restraint, lapses on Feb 4 with no extension talks underway. Its verification and data-exchange mechanisms would end, potentially enabling larger deployed arsenals on both sides and raising the risk of a renewed arms race; with no immediate successor treaty and trilateral talks with China unlikely, there is a push for a verifiable, multilateral disarmament framework to curb risks.
Ross and Makovsky argue that phase two of the Trump administration's Gaza peace plan hinges on Hamas disarming; a US-backed push by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey would deploy a technocratic Gaza authority, an international stabilization force, and reconstruction, with Israeli withdrawal tied to disarmament. If Hamas does not disarm, Gaza risks remaining divided or returning to war, whereas credible disarmament could unlock reconstruction and a path to Palestinian self-determination.
Israel’s IDF outlined a phased plan to disarm Hamas and run the Rafah border crossing, arguing that simply storing heavy weapons would not slow Hamas and that capturing Kalashnikov rifles is essential. The ISF would not operate in Hamas areas, while a future Palestinian police force could shrink Hamas’ grip; Rafah checks would be conducted in stages with EUBAM handling main border checks and a second IDF check, and exiting Gazans would be photographed rather than physically searched. The IDF kept the option of a new operation if disarmament stalls and Trump blocks it, and suggested security could improve to a “lighter green” if the Palestinian police force succeeds.
Trump told Axios that Hamas helped locate the remains of the last Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, and urged the group to disarm as phase one of his peace plan concludes with all hostages returned. The recovery clears the way for phase two—Gaza demilitarization and a new security force—while U.S. officials say Hamas cooperated in the search. A limited reopening of the Rafah crossing is planned, and negotiations on disarmament and amnesty are expected soon, though skepticism about Hamas’ willingness to disarm persists and rebuilding hinges on demilitarization.
Lebanon announced the completion of the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups south of the Litani River, with the Lebanese Army claiming operational control of the area, though full disarmament has not been achieved. Israel welcomed the progress but expressed concerns that efforts are insufficient, citing ongoing rearmament and Iranian support for Hezbollah. The situation remains tense, with ongoing efforts and challenges in fully implementing disarmament and maintaining stability.
Lebanon has announced the completion of the first phase of disarmament of Hizbollah, marking a significant step in its security and political landscape.