Netanyahu Rejects US-Backed Gaza Proposal, Demanding Complete Disarmament of Hamas First
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-backed proposal for Gaza, stating that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the territory until Hamas has completely disarmed. The stance, delivered on Tuesday, pushes back against a recent deal announced by US President Donald Trump and highlights a rare public disagreement between the Israeli leader and the US administration.
The proposed agreement aimed to advance a ceasefire by requiring Hamas to begin disarming, while Israel would halt its military strikes and start withdrawing from the approximately 60 percent of Gaza it currently controls. Netanyahu's rejection has cast further doubt on the viability of the plan, which had been viewed as a potential breakthrough to end the conflict.
Friction Over the US-Backed Proposal
In a video statement shared on social media, Netanyahu clarified Israel's position regarding the draft proposal sent by the US administration. "President (Donald) Trump and his team think they can get Hamas to disarm and demilitarize Gaza, we are examining this, they sent us a draft, we did not agree, it is not our draft, we sent our comments," Netanyahu said. He added that Israel sent its feedback before any media campaign began, emphasizing, "We stand firm on our interests, I believe both wisely and firmly."
Netanyahu, who is facing a challenging reelection campaign scheduled for October, reiterated that the complete disarmament of Hamas must occur before any Israeli withdrawal. He stated that Israeli forces would continue to "do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, our territory, and our citizens."
Details of the Proposed Agreement
The current proposal is built upon a ceasefire agreement from last October, which successfully ended major military operations and led to the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. However, progress has since stalled on multiple fronts. The October framework envisioned a multi-step process: Hamas would disarm, Israel would withdraw its forces, an International Stabilization Force would deploy to the region, and an independent Palestinian administration would assume responsibility for governance and reconstruction.
Despite these plans, significant disagreements persist between the two sides. Israel maintains that all progress depends on Hamas relinquishing its weapons. Conversely, Hamas demands that Israel first halt its military strikes and begin withdrawing its forces from the Gaza Strip. Both parties continue to accuse each other of violating the terms of the truce.
