JERUSALEM, Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US broadcaster that if the Palestinian militant group Hamas does not disarm under a US-brokered peace plan, "all hell will break loose," echoing threats by US President Donald Trump to disarm the group by violence if necessary.
Under the 20-point plan put forward by Trump, which in its first phase stipulated the ongoing hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, the group must disarm and the Gaza Strip, which it has been ruling, must become completely demilitarized.
"We agreed, let's get the first part done, and now let's give a chance to do the second part," Netanyahu said.
It remains uncertain whether Hamas is ready to lay down its arms.
The group on Tuesday launched a crackdown under which it executed alleged collaborators, while armed clashes have taken place between Hamas's various security units and armed Palestinian clans in parts of the territory.
Armed police under the control of the territory's Hamas government have also resumed street patrols in Gaza City following the withdrawal of Israeli troops under the deal.
Trump, however, voiced confidence on Tuesday that disarmament would take place by whatever means.
Responding to a question on whether he was certain it would happen, he said, "We have told them we want them to disarm, and they will disarm. And if they don’t disarm, we will disarm them, and it'll happen quickly and perhaps violently, but they will disarm."
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