Overview
- The senator said Israeli and U.S. assessments indicate Hamas is rearming and consolidating power rather than disarming as required.
- He urged the president to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and impose a time clock that would trigger renewed Israeli military action if disarmament does not occur.
- Phase II of the U.S.-brokered plan requires Hamas to give up weapons and hand Gaza to an international stabilisation force that has drawn commitments from Egypt, Italy, Germany, Qatar, the UAE and the UK.
- Netanyahu has signaled Israel could soon move to Phase II, though the 90-day ceasefire remains fragile with reported shelling in Gaza and a recent deadly strike on a school used as a shelter.
- Graham also advocated potential joint operations against Hezbollah if it retains heavy weapons and backed Israeli opposition to including Turkey in any stabilisation force.