Source: US and Israel set deadline for Hamas to surrender weapons

 The United States and Israel have agreed on a two-month deadline for the disarmament of the Palestinian Islamist militia Hamas, a well-placed source familiar with the issue told dpa on Wednesday.

This was agreed upon by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their talks in Florida on Monday, the source said.

The Israel Hayom newspaper had previously reported on this without subsequent official confirmation.

Expert teams from both countries are working "to establish clear, mutually agreed criteria defining what would constitute the practical disarmament of Hamas," the paper wrote after the meeting.

According to media reports, Hamas may be willing to surrender heavy weapons such as rockets but keep light weapons.

However, Israeli representatives are concerned that Hamas could try to retain most of the weapons and military capabilities it currently has at its disposal.

Both Israel and the US agree that such a scenario would be unacceptable, Israel Hayom wrote, citing the leaders' talks.

Netanyahu reportedly told Trump that Hamas still has around 60,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles at its disposal in the Gaza Strip.

The newspaper added that it had been agreed that the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza would also include the destruction of its underground tunnel system.

If this fails, Israel would resume its military operations against the group.

"If Hamas does not disarm, as is widely expected in Israel, responsibility for the next steps would revert to Israel and the Israel Defense Forces," the paper wrote.