The United States has proposed a potential amnesty arrangement for Palestinian combatants as part of a broader initiative to disarm Hamas in Gaza, according to statements made by American officials on Tuesday. An anonymous U.S. official disclosed to Reuters that both Israeli and American strategies assume weapon surrender would be accompanied by clemency provisions for fighters.
“We are listening to many of their people talk about disarming. We believe they will comply,” the official stated, emphasizing that disarmament would constitute a fundamental component of any negotiated settlement. “Failure to relinquish weapons would constitute a violation of the agreement. We envision disarmament proceeding alongside appropriate amnesty measures, and we have developed a robust program to facilitate this process.”
This development coincides with France’s urgent call for implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire framework following the recovery of the final Israeli hostage’s remains from the Palestinian territory. Pascal Confavreux, spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed “immense relief” at the resolution of the hostage situation while emphasizing the critical need for transitional measures.
“Commencing the second phase of the Gaza peace plan must now facilitate the transition from ceasefire to durable peace, ensure massive humanitarian aid delivery, and reestablish credible political prospects for a two-state solution with mutual security,” Confavreux articulated via social media platform X.
The truce, originally brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump in October, aimed to terminate over two years of severe conflict that resulted in more than 71,660 Palestinian fatalities and the near-total destruction of 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure. Despite the ceasefire, monitoring groups have documented over 1,300 violations attributed to Israeli forces since its inception.
Phase two of the Trump administration’s peace blueprint requires the disarmament of Hamas, progressive withdrawal of Israeli military units from occupied portions of the Gaza Strip, and the introduction of international peacekeeping forces. Hamas officials have countered that Israel must fully adhere to the ceasefire terms, particularly regarding unimpeded aid access and complete territorial withdrawal.
Recent tensions escalated when Israel announced the discovery of the last captive’s body near Gaza City following intensive military operations involving artillery shelling and bulldozing activities. Local reports from the Wafa news agency detailed extensive ground operations in eastern Gaza City, including the desecration of multiple graves during search operations for 24-year-old policeman Ran Gvili.
The Israeli military’s operations have resulted in dozens of casualties from heavy artillery and drone strikes since Sunday. In a concurrent development, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in central Gaza received nine Palestinian detainees released through Red Cross mediation on Monday evening.
Post-ceasefire violence has claimed at least 486 Palestinian lives with over 1,341 wounded, while Israeli authorities maintain strict limitations on humanitarian assistance, continuing bans on essential shelter and heating supplies.