Gaza conflict: Will Israel or Hamas yield first?

The push to end the Gaza war has entered a critical phase, with Israel and Hamas presenting irreconcilable demands that now determine the feasibility of a ceasefire agreement. Israel's primary condition for a complete withdrawal of its forces from Gaza is the disarmament of Hamas. Conversely, Hamas asserts that it will only consider surrendering its weapons after Israel halts its military operations and withdraws from the territory.

This fundamental clash in positions poses the most significant challenge to the next stage of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire plan. Both parties perceive security and territorial control through divergent lenses, creating a stalemate. The fate of the agreement now rests on whether Israel and Hamas are prepared to make the first move toward compromise, or if their conflicting demands will continue to obstruct progress.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed to have an "understanding" with Israel regarding a proposed disarmament plan agreed upon with Hamas during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David. He stated that Israel was "very happy" with the proposal. However, the plan faces internal opposition within the Israeli government, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir dismissing it as unacceptable.

When pressed for a direct answer on whether Hamas would disarm before an Israeli withdrawal, Trump offered a non-committal response, describing Gaza's situation as "very complex." Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official insisted that no withdrawal from current positions in Gaza would occur without genuine disarmament by Hamas. This stance refers to the "Yellow Line," a buffer zone within Gaza agreed upon as an Israeli withdrawal area following last year's ceasefire. The original agreement stipulated Israel would maintain temporary control over areas behind this line, encompassing approximately 53 percent of Gaza. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently claimed Israeli forces control over 60 percent of the area.