Israel demands 'full demilitarization' for phase two of Gaza truce

Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Tuesday that Israel demands Gaza's "full demilitarization" and Hamas's removal in order to proceed to the second phase of a January ceasefire deal.

"We don't have an agreement on phase two. We demand total demilitarization of Gaza, Hamas and Islamic Jihad out, and give us our hostages. If they agree to that we can implement tomorrow," Saar told a news conference in Jerusalem.

Saar also said that humanitarian aid had become the "number one source of revenue" for Hamas, as he defended his government's decision to block all deliveries to Gaza. "With that money they use for terror to restore their abilities and to get more young terrorists into their organization."

Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP Tuesday that disarming is a red line for his movement and other Palestinian militant groups in negotiations to extend the fragile Gaza ceasefire.

"Any talk about the resistance's weapons is nonsense. The resistance's weapons are a red line for Hamas and all resistance factions."