Hamas dismantling: Who will roll up their sleeves?

Several European capitals — Paris, London, Lisbon, Luxembourg, and even Monte Carlo (yes, Monaco, between a casino and a yacht party) — have proudly recognized the “State of Palestine.” Speeches were made, flags were waved, and lofty declarations about peace and justice filled the air.

And then came the fine print. All these countries, in unison, demanded the dismantling of Hamas, insisting that the group play no role in politics or governance. Excellent idea. Who could disagree? But then comes the inconvenient question: How exactly do they plan to do it?

At present, it is Israel that is left with the “dirty work” — chasing militants, dismantling tunnels, and absorbing international outrage for collateral damage. Meanwhile, European leaders can issue statements from the comfort of their capitals, sipping espresso and calling for peace on social media.

Are Paris, London, or Lisbon really planning to send commandos into Gaza to dismantle rocket launchers and underground bunkers? Will Monaco deploy a special unit trained between roulette tables and champagne receptions? One doubts it.

The truth is, recognizing Palestine from a safe distance costs nothing. But neutralizing armed groups entrenched in Gaza is another matter entirely. Until someone explains how these newly minted champions of Palestinian statehood plan to confront Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Israel will remain the sole player tasked with “doing the heavy lifting.”

And Europe? It will continue to excel at what it does best — issuing communiqués.