US Senator Lindsey Graham accuses Hamas of rearming and consolidating power in Gaza during a visit to Israel, with Netanyahu agreeing.
JERUSALEM: US Senator Lindsey Graham (pic) has accused Hamas and Hezbollah of rearming and charged the Palestinian group with consolidating its power in Gaza.
The South Carolina Republican made the remarks during a visit to Israel on Sunday, in a video statement issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
“My impression is that Hamas is not disarming, they are rearming,” Graham said.
“It’s my impression that they are trying to consolidate power (and) not give it up in Gaza.”
Graham, a staunch ally of US President Donald Trump, added he believed Iran-backed Hezbollah was also seeking to rearm itself.
Netanyahu responded by praising Graham as a “great friend of Israel” and agreeing with his assessment.
The accusations come amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza that has held since October, despite mutual violations.
A separate ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect in November 2024, though Israel continues strikes there.
Israel states dismantling both groups’ arsenals is a key condition for any lasting peace.
Mediators including the US, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are pushing for a second phase of the Gaza truce.
This phase involves an Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of an interim authority to replace Hamas.
It also envisages the demilitarisation of Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas.
Hamas has called on mediators to stop Israeli “violations” of the current ceasefire.
On Friday, six people including two children were killed in an Israeli strike on a Gaza school shelter.
The Lebanese government has committed to disarming Hezbollah, starting in the south.
Israel has questioned the effectiveness of the Lebanese military in this task.
Hezbollah has repeatedly refused to lay down its weapons. – AFP
