U.S. Sees Rafah Tunnels Crisis as Key to Disarming Hamas in Gaza

Trump Administration Seeks Peaceful Solution to Disarm Hamas

The Trump administration is exploring a plan to resolve the Rafah tunnels crisis and use it as a model for disarming Hamas in Gaza. The crisis began when Hamas militants were trapped in tunnels on the Israeli side of the “yellow line,” which separates Israeli and Hamas-controlled areas.

The U.S. hopes this situation can be used to test a new strategy for disarming Hamas without further fighting. However, Israel is skeptical about this approach.

Israeli soldiers stand at the entrance of a tunnel in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Sharon Aronowicz/AFP via Getty

The Issue: Disarming Hamas in the Gaza Conflict

Disarming Hamas is a key part of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. But Israel doubts Hamas will give up its weapons peacefully. Many in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition also oppose granting amnesty to Hamas militants.

While President Trump has said Hamas will be destroyed if it refuses to disarm, his envoys are working to avoid a full-scale military conflict.

The Rafah Tunnels: A Key Test for Disarming Hamas

The Rafah tunnels are crucial to the current crisis. These tunnels, which run under the yellow line, have become a battleground between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. Last week, the U.S. offered Hamas militants safe passage across the yellow line for 24 hours, hoping to prevent more clashes. Initially, Hamas declined the offer, but later showed interest. However, Israel had already set a deadline, making it too late.

The situation grew more complicated when Netanyahu’s coalition opposed granting safe passage to Hamas militants, fearing it would set a dangerous precedent.

The U.S. Proposal: A New Path for Peaceful Disarmament

U.S. officials proposed a plan where Hamas militants would surrender their weapons to a neutral party, like Egypt, Qatar, or Turkey. In return, Israel would grant amnesty to the militants, as long as they didn’t return to fighting. After surrendering, the militants would be moved to areas controlled by Hamas, and the tunnels they used would be destroyed.

U.S. officials see this as a potential model for disarming Hamas in Gaza. They hope it could be expanded to other areas in the future. However, Israel is not fully on board with this plan.

Israeli Concerns and Political Tensions

Israeli officials are cautious. One senior official said some Hamas militants are “murderers” and should not be granted amnesty. Instead, they should be captured or killed by Israeli forces.

Israel has also set a condition for allowing safe passage: Hamas must return the body of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who has been held by Gaza militants for over 11 years.

Diplomatic Efforts and Ceasefire Talks

Meanwhile, U.S. and Turkish officials are mediating between Hamas and Israel. Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin recently met with senior Hamas leaders to discuss the crisis and the ceasefire.

A Hamas official said that talks are ongoing, but accused Israel of “stalling” the process. The situation remains tense, with both sides holding firm on their positions.

Conclusion: A Critical Moment for Gaza Peace Talks

The Rafah tunnels crisis highlights the deep divisions between the U.S. and Israel over how to handle Hamas. While the U.S. is pushing for a peaceful resolution, Israel’s hardline stance makes this difficult. As negotiations continue, it remains unclear whether the U.S. proposal will succeed or if the situation will lead to more violence.