Israel raises security concerns over Hamas disarmament deal

Israel has conveyed "serious security concerns" to the White House about a proposed disarmament agreement with Hamas. This comes as overnight Israeli raids in Gaza reportedly killed at least 17 people, including children.

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serious security concerns

Doron Shelieman, spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister's office, stated that Israeli intelligence indicates Hamas remains committed to rebuilding its military capacity rather than genuinely disarming. "Our assessment is that if we redeploy before Hamas is actually disarmed, the movement will quickly expand its presence throughout Gaza, rebuild its terrorist infrastructure, and then threaten Israeli population centers again, and seek to carry out another attack similar to the October 7th attack," Shelieman told the Associated Press.

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Hamas is committed to rebuilding its military capabilities, instead of disarming.

Shelieman emphasized that disarmament means "actually giving up weapons. Nothing less." The comments follow Hamas's announcement that it would begin disarming as part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement signed nine months prior to end a nearly three-year conflict.

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Our assessment is that if we redeploy before Hamas is actually disarmed, the movement will quickly expand its presence throughout Gaza, rebuild its terrorist infrastructure, and then threaten Israeli population centers again, and seek to carry out another attack similar to the October 7th attack.

Israel currently controls over 60 percent of the Gaza Strip and insists its army will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed. The proposed deal faces significant obstacles, lengthy timelines, and conditions.

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Disarmament means actually giving up weapons. Nothing less.