The United States is considering offering amnesty to Hamas militants in exchange for disarmament as part of a Washington-brokered peace initiative. This development comes after the Israel Defense Forces retrieved the remains of the last hostage held by the Palestinian militant group, marking the completion of the first phase of a US-backed plan to end the Gaza war.
The retrieval of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili’s body was a significant step in the peace process, which was brokered by the US. Gvili was among over 200 hostages captured during the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 72,000 Palestinians and wounded over 171,000, according to local health authorities.
A US official stated that disarmament would be accompanied by some form of amnesty, emphasizing that the deal would be breached if Hamas failed to disarm. The official highlighted the US’s “very, very good program” to achieve disarmament. Under the original framework signed in late 2025, the return of all hostages, both living and dead, marked the end of the deal’s first phase.
The White House has announced that the agreement is moving into its second phase, focusing on Gaza’s reconstruction and demilitarization. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the next part of the deal is centered on disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza, rather than rebuilding the territory. Hamas has stated that its militants assisted in locating Gvili’s body, describing the act as a demonstration of their commitment to the ceasefire.
The possibility of granting amnesty to Hamas members in exchange for disarmament has not been commented on by West Jerusalem. The development is a significant step in the peace process, which aims to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza. The US-brokered initiative has been working towards a lasting resolution, with the return of hostages and the disarmament of militant groups being key components of the agreement. As the process moves forward, the international community will be watching closely to see if the parties involved can achieve a lasting peace.
