Pressure Grows on Hamas to Disarm Following UN Vote on Peace Plan

Pressure is intensifying on Hamas to disarm and relinquish control over Gaza after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on regional governments to join forces with Israel. This appeal comes in the wake of the United Nations Security Council’s approval of President Donald Trump‘s peace plan. In a statement made on November 18, 2025, Netanyahu’s office indicated that it is time to “end Hamas’ rule” and expressed full support for the recent UN vote.

Netanyahu’s office emphasized the need for cooperation with the United States and other countries backing Trump’s plan, stating, “We expect to receive all of the deceased hostages with no delay,” while calling for actions to disarm and demilitarize the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government also extended an invitation to neighboring nations to normalize relations with Israel and collaborate in expelling Hamas and its supporters from the region.

The Arab League, comprising 22 member states, previously called for Hamas to disarm in a joint resolution passed in July. Key mediators in the conflict, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are signatories to this resolution. Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, skirmishes have occurred, although major escalations have been largely avoided.

Netanyahu’s appeal for regional support aligns with Trump’s vision for Gaza, which proposes the establishment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee governance, replacing Hamas with a leadership comprised of “Palestinian technocrats” and military personnel from various Arab nations. The proposed ISF would operate under a “Board of Peace” that includes Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

According to Anna Kelly, Deputy Press Secretary at the White House, the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to a “demilitarized, deradicalized, prosperous, and self-governing Gaza,” supported by extensive regional participation.

As diplomatic efforts unfold, the focus remains on how pressure from both Western nations and regional powers will influence Hamas’s stance on disarmament. The situation continues to evolve, and the international community watches closely as discussions progress.